Blog of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office
I have a fascination with historic architecture. That is what launched me on in my career path. There is just something about a well-designed building that strikes awe in me. I feel it when I enter the state Capitol Building here in Harrisburg or when I walk through a quaint Lancaster City neighborhood. It amazes me that an architect inspires so much with his work.
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Several months ago, my colleague Cory Kegerise wrote a blog highlighting his childhood memories visiting Hopewell Furnace as part of the National Park Service’s #FindYourPark campaign . He inspired me to make sure my kids had the same experiences and appreciated the plethora of historic sites throughout the Commonwealth. So one Friday in late March when my kids were off from school, we went in search of our own #FindYourPark adventure. In case you are not familiar with the initiative, Americans are encouraged to share their thoughts, reflections, and aspects about their favorite National Park as part of the National Park Service’s Centennial Celebration. Most of the #FindYourPark stories speak of the National Park System’s natural wonders and green bucolic open space. Our adventure may seem in contrast, but Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia with its rich civic history really sparks my interest. So we set off to explore the colonial history and the birthplace of America. Continue reading
The architectural historian in me is fascinated by the threads of science, theory, and symbolism that go into designing and building schools. Like most preservationists, I am a strong believer that the power of place plays a central role in shaping our experiences, attitudes, and values. The tangible aspects of a school’s ‘power of place’ include its architectural style, materials, dimensions, and floor plan. Taken together, these character-defining features often reflect a community’s wealth, prominence, and aspirations for their children. In Philadelphia, schools from the mid-19th century to pre-World War II period fit into this category, regardless of their location in large or small, rich or poor neighborhoods. After World War II, the character of many of Philadelphia’s public schools shifted, and the school buildings communicate a rigid, institutional personality that is markedly different from the schools only a few decades older. Continue reading
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