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Saturday, October 18, 10 a.m. to noon
A Walking Tour of the Jefferson Ravenhill Campus
In this tour, Dr. David Breiner will describe the most interesting structures in the west section, or Ravenhill Campus, of the Jefferson-East Falls campus. The name refers to Ravenhill Mansion. It was created in 1887 as the home (or one home) of William Weightman of the Powers and Weightman chemical works, then one of the richest men in Pennsylvania. We will also view several lesser-known surviving structures from the Weightman estate, a repurposed stone barn, a Queen Anne house designed by the Horace Trumbauer firm, and several newer buildings. Our hope is to visit inside at least one building.
David Breiner, PhD, is acting dean and associate professor in the College of Architecture and the Built Environment at Jefferson University. Dr. Breiner has degrees in architecture and the history of architecture.
Attendance will be limited and registration is necessary!
Please email eastfallshistory@gmail.com for inquiries or registration. The fees will be $15, but $10 for current EFHS members, collected at the beginning of the tour. Cash Please. Further details will be emailed to those registered.
A Walking Tour of The Oak Road and Vicinity
On April 20, 2024, Steve Peitzman and Nancy Pontone led a tour of The Oak Road. Click here to see the tour description. Here are a few of the historic sites that we saw:
Alden Park; Steel’s Stone Stable; Henry W. Brown residence (Timmons House); Ivy Cottage; Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd
Click here to see photos from the tour.
JOSIAH WHITE: THE FIRST BIG BUSINESSMAN IN FALLS OF SCHUYLKILL
Arriving in East Falls in 1810, Josiah White made a fortune from a wire mill and anthracite coal, and he even built an early (unsuccessful) predecessor of the Falls Bridge. Click here to read about him (and his bridge) in the May 2025 column in East Falls NOW.
MEDICAL STUDENTS IN EAST FALLS FIFTY YEARS AGO
They sang for their supper. Every week or so the two young women would go down to Pete’s Cafe on Midvale near Ridge, walk down the alley to the “Ladies’ entrance”. Once inside, one would play the guitar and the other would sing for the patrons, and their reward would be dinner. Read more about the life of students at Woman’s Medical School in the Class of 1970 in the February 2025 column in East Falls NOW.
East Falls Historical Society has recorded more than 60 oral histories! Here are the latest:
The first mayor and first governor to hail from East Falls, Ed Rendell recalls his almost 50 years in East Falls — his impressions of the neighborhood, walking his dog, what he thinks of local eateries, and of course highlights of his career.
Head of School at Penn Charter from 1976 – 2007, Dr. Earl Ball discusses his challenges, achievements, and memories of his years there.
Franz Ostertag, a lifelong Fallser, talks about growing up on Calumet Street, attending school and church at St. Bridget, and working at McDevitt Recreation Center.
Chadwick Papers Index online!
Adapted from The Chadwick Papers Index by Katy Hineline, 1991. Click here to open in a new tab.
Visit the Grace Kelly Gallery at NewCourtland!
Click here for details
