#phillyhistory

[librarycompany]

Philadelphia engineer and architect Frederick Graff worked with architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe to design the city’s water works at Centre Square and became their superintendent in 1805. This plan with its many notations made over the span of more than two decades shows how the water works became integrated into the fabric of the lives of the city’s residents.

Unsurprisingly, Graff included information about the length, width, and circumference of various walkways in the square, but we also learn through these additions of the presence of a gambling house and the discovery of a murder victim’s body.

Frederick Graff, [Plan of Centre Square], ca. 1800-1827.

[kislak-center]

There’s a satisfying pairing motif happening in this Biddle family photograph. Two staunch ladies, two charming donkeys, and two faithful dogs occupy this picture. We had to look a bit closer to find one of the dogs sitting in the carriage upon his mistress’ lap. From the Biddle family papers, 1709-2017 (bulk: 1776-1953 Call number: Ms Coll. 1351, Box 17, Folder 5. Finding aid: http://ow.ly/RO9R30kEYDZ * * * #kislakcenter #librariesofinstagram #pennlibraries #scpc #donkey #dogs #BiddleFamilyFriday #familyfriday #dogstagram #Phillyhistory #farm #specialcollections https://www.instagram.com/p/BqP3wOtATKc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=sqwapvtluzhb

[streettypephilly]

Check it out. Here’s the sign that was buried under the Midtown II facade, and here are two photos of 11st from 1965. You can just see it. Might be Le Mats? #philly #philadelphia #signhunting #phillyhistory #oldsign #ghostsign (at Midtown Dinner)

[spanky606]

"Out of 1,700 statues on Philadelphia city property, NONE are black. An (misnomer) African American on City property. Meet Octavius V. Catto, educator, orator, civil rights activist, & baseball player. What a great history! Regrannfrom @historyofphilly The assassination of Octavius V. Catto, Election Day 1871 (October 10th). Catto, a prominent teacher and activist, was gunned down on South Street on his way to the polls. From our seventh episode, "An Equal Chance (1855-1871)" - watch it for free online at historyofphilly.com #Philadelphia #Philly #PhillyHistory #history #QuakerCity #WilliamPenn #Penn #OctaviusCatto #Catto #SouthStreet #assassination #WhyILovePhilly #HowPhillySeesPhilly #DiscoverPHL #igers_Philly #Phillygram #SavePhilly #VisitPhilly

[sirrudyard]

Fahrenheit 6/13 (c) May 13th, 2015 [Move Bombing 30 year Anniversary] Sir. Rudyard Snaggs 1/3 West Philly 85' I've Survived. Back when The 10's stopped @ 37 5.13.85 was our 9/11 13 going on 30 A loaner Recalling The appalling Image of Ramona Known for carrying Birdie from an once sturdy house of flames Un doused Who's the blame. Community dismembered Into Embers Over move members Remembered For eons Beyond Confines Of Frontline Via Judy woodruff And all that good stuff After the smoked is cleared into the open air Miserable Visible as far as Society hill For Society's ills what's the dosage Of the cure For 6200 Osage Bull horn Broadcast Full scorn Towards the gritty walls Of City hall, Free inmates That dates The Battle of Powelton, August 8th 78' Christmas Eve 83', With no reprieve Memorial day 84' ,15 residents descended On Mayor Goode About their hood dealt with Condescending As movement remained Hoarded up In a Boarded up Row home Fortified Leaving neighbors Mortified You know the Cronkite Once John Whites Onsite Lacking the Expertise To Expertly Handle the Scandal to hot to handle Back from Black hell luck of Lucien Blackwell Understood It's all Wilson Goode Never forget Exactly What the powers that be Regret Especially The bombing of West Philly

[hspdigitallibrary]

Mary Hallock-Greenewalt, photographic portrait with color organ, 1922

Inventor and pianist, Mary Hallock-Greenewalt (1871-1950) is best known for creating a distinct color organ which she called “Sarabet.” Born in Beirut, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire, Mary moved to Philadelphia as a teenager where she studied piano at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. She later performed with the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh symphonies as a soloist. Mary produced hand-painted film strips (perhaps the oldest hand-painted film still extant) that were intended to be performed with early versions of her color organ.

This photograph, taken in 1922, shows Mary dressed as if for a performance with Sarabet.

-Andrew

[warrioroftheinfinite]

@gravestonegirls 1714 #gravestone found in Philadelphia's Christ Church graveyard #18thcentury #history #phillyhistory (at Christ Church, Philadelphia)

[librarycompany]

To celebrate #WorldPhotographyDay we are sharing this albumen print taken of the North side of the 500 block of Market Street in Philadelphia.

The photographer is unidentified, but a note on the back states that it was taken in May of 1868