Blog
A Museum of Early American Tools…AITA-Farm-Style!
A recent article in The Inquirer ("They Dig Garden Tools" - 11/20/09) featured Harold Sweetman, Director of The Jenkins Arboretum, who is also a collector of "horticultural antiques." Stated more ... Read More
Farm Graveyard Secrets - Unearthed!
I will concede that this is a bit late for Halloween or Día de los Muertos...However, this spooky history tidbit is, nonetheless, intriguing!A locally published tome "If Walls Could Speak," ... Read More
Only YOU Can Save Civil War History in Philadelphia!
CIVIL WAR MUSEUM SOUNDS ALARM ON LEAVING PHILA & TWO WEEKS NOTICE: CIVIL WAR ARTIFACTS MAY LEAVE PHILLY These were the headlines of 2 disturbing articles published in the Philadelphia Inquirer yesterday. THE ... Read More
WORKSHOP OF THE WORLD—A Selective Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Philadelphia
The Philadelphia of To-Day, The World's Greatest Workshop: America's largest ... Read More
A Relevant Summer Reading List thus far: Look To The Mountain by LeGrand Cannon, Jr. Summer Cottages In The White Mountains by Bryant F. Tolles, Jr. Great Hill Farm is featured in here... Country ... Read More
Selections from “The Tamworth Narrative” by Marjory Gane Harkness
AN AMAZING FIND! Via an antique bookshop in Minnesota, I tracked down my own copy of this anecdotal/historical tome about my future hometown, penned in 1958. Favorite excerpts follow... ---------------------- INTRODUCTION A ... Read More
An Exciting 2 Weeks, According To My Slingshot Planner
Monday, May 11: Pullman Strike begins, first revolutionary strike on continental European model (1894), Salvador Dali born (1904) Tuesday, May 12: Lusty Lady workers take over operations at theater (2003) Wednesday, May ... Read More
Law & Order…& History: Sam Waterston Celebrates St. Peter’s 250th Anniversary!
The diction may seem clichéd...but I will be loud & proud, and make this statement, regardless...HISTORY IS ALIVE IN PHILADELPHIA!Seriously. We live in "The Cradle Of Liberty," and should be ... Read More
INTERVIEW: Michael Grady Robertson of Queens County Farm Museum!
all images from queensfarm.org Last month, The New York Times featured the work of Michael Grady Robertson, the Agricultural Director at Queens County Farm Museum. Historically, the 47-acre farm has remained ... Read More
Find The Farmer: A Large Step for American-Kind
A recent NY Times article brought a very awesome resource to my attention... FINDTHEFARMER.com The idea of "traceability" is a hot topic in foodie, consumer culture, and now political spheres! Josh Durf, ... Read More
HIDDENCITY PHILADELPHIA FESTIVAL! May 30 - June 28
After living in/on/around/near Philadelphia for over 10 years, I thought I'd seen just about everything. WRONG. Starting May 30, the HIDDENCITY Philadelphia Festival will shed light on our city's best unknown historical ... Read More
ESSENTIAL MANIFESTO: The New Typography, Jan Tschichold
Two years ago, one of my most awesome and favorite design professors instructed me to get my hands on a copy of this tiny volume as fast as I possibly ... Read More
Oh, For The Love of Gluttony! The Art of Cooking: The First Modern Cookery Book
Maestro Martino of Como is known as the world's first "celebrity chef" and considered by some to be The Father of Italian Cooking. He lived and cooked in the 15th ... Read More
PA Schwenkfelder Heritage & Relics: A Brief History
Sincere apologies, as this report has been inordinately long in coming, but worth the wait, I feel. So without further ado... A Brief History of The Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania (Aptly elucidated by ... Read More
Happy 200th, Lincoln! The Rosenbach Museum & Library Launches 21st Century Abe!
Two hundred years ago in a one-room log cabin in southeast Kentucky, a baby boy was born. His parents were not formally educated and made a living by working ... Read More
One Fine Winter’s Day in Pennsylvania…..
On Monday, January 19, what started off as a romantic drive through rural Pennsylvania became none other than Old Man Winter at its best. Robin and I agreed to venture ... Read More
Taxation for (Artistic) Creation: Benjamin, Roosevelt, & Obama
Walter Benjamin wrote his critical essay "The Work of Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction" (1936) at the height of The Great Depression in America. Though German by birth ... Read More
The Franklin Fountain: History, Antiques & Delectable Confections…Just Around The Corner!
Brothers Ryan and Eric Berley serve far more than beverages at the magical Franklin Fountain in Old City. Pennsylvania history experts, rare antique purveyors, and delightful intellectuals - The proprietors ... Read More
