Homes & Gardens

Designing a Twin/Duplex

Gardening more

Chestnut Hill Garden District Fund’s annual spring planting has Germantown Avenue ablaze with color

For the 18th consecutive year, Germantown Avenue is exploding with the color of flowering annuals planted by dozens of dedicated volunteers.

How to grow flowering orchid cacti on your enclosed porch

My wife, Valerie, is particularly fond of the flowers that bloom on our front porch for a month starting in mid-April. The orchid cacti (two specimens are in bloom in the picture) have survived another winter on our climate-controlled, enclosed front porch.

On mothers, daughters and houseplants

The Clivia plant that my wife, Valerie, is inspecting in the photo is at least fifty years old; it was her mother’s.

Trees Tree Talk

By Design Patricia Cove

The colors with which we surround ourselves

Remember the fad of about 20 years ago, called “Color Me Beautiful”?

When looking back at interior styles following the popular Arts and Crafts movement, two styles that are often referenced together but could not be more different are Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

Real Estate

Local Realtors offer advice for NW Philly’s tight housing market

Prospective buyers looking to relocate to Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill are especially challenged, say local realtors.

Mt. Airy condo project preserves the property’s church community

Instead of abandoning their church property, members of the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church saw their inability to keep up with deferred maintenance and decided to strike a deal to preserve their congregation.

- Weathering the Storm: How wild weather affects wildlife
  
  Three baby gray squirrels that were admitted to the Wildlife Clinic following heavy winds in early August. By Rebecca Michelin, Wildlife …
- Ask a Rehabber: What comes after a young bird leaves the nest?
  
  People often mistake fledglings as injured birds. by Rebecca Michelin Early summer is baby bird season. At this time of year, the number of …
- Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic limited but open
  
  Baby flying squirrels By Rebecca Michelin Director, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education Wildlife Clinic While human society undergoes …

The persistent power of William Morris' design principles

Michael Morgan: Not just another brick in the wall

Valerie’s complex relationship with the morning glory family

See All Home & Garden

Discovering Chestnut Hill

Save Your Photos Month

Wednesday, September 8

September is Save Your Photos Month. During this month, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy encourages everyone to preserve our photographs, so that future generations may learn from them.

Discovering Chestnut Hill: Nurses Week

Thursday, May 6

Did you know that May 6 is both National Nurses Day and the first day of National Nurses Week? This “Week” ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.

Covid collecting for the Chestnut Hill Conservancy

Thursday, March 18

Scenes that typified Chestnut Hill during the early days of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 are already fading from our daily experience: next-to-no cars on Germantown Avenue, closed stores, Xs …

Discovering Chestnut Hill: The Wissahickon Garden Club

Thursday, March 4

Normally, the first week of March brings us a reminder that spring is just around the corner, with the arrival of the Philadelphia Flower Show. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania …

Together with our community champions: Looking back at 2020 for the Chestnut Hill Conservancy

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Because of your support, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy has been able to sustain our stewardship of the history, architecture, and open space we treasure.

Discovering Chestnut Hill: Women’s Equality Day observed

Thursday, August 27, 2020

This photograph from the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Archives appears to show women heading to the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession held in Washington, D.C., in protest of the lack of voting rights …

Discover Chestnut Hill: remembrances of Chestnut Hill Past… (Part 1 Of 2)

Thursday, August 20, 2020

This April 1940 photograph shows Alessandra Cartelli’s mother and sister, Rose and Louise Cartelli, before boarding the ship to Philadelphia to join Pietro Cartelli. By Molly Murphy Anyone who …

In celebration of International Rock Day

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

This circa 1924 photograph shows a large outcrop of Wissahickon Schist being quarried in the 7500 block of Germantown Avenue, later the site of the Trolley Car Diner. Vito Benvenuto of Benezet Street …

Discover Chestnut Hill: Documenting our history and the pandemic

Friday, May 29, 2020

SEPTA’s “Lifeline” map of Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy is shown here, with lines in operation highlighted, as well as the locations of “life-sustaining” businesses. By Alex …

Discover Chestnut Hill: Earth Day turns 50

Thursday, April 16, 2020

This photograph from the April 26, 1990, Chestnut Hill Local shows John Story Jenks School teachers and students celebrating the 20th anniversary of Earth Day by planting a flowering crabapple tree. …

Designing a Twin/Duplex

With the right vision, a rancher could be a good choice

Design for all spaces

Celebrate spring and summer with flowers in new and unexpected places

Recalling a first design position and the changes in interior design since

Designing a Twin/Duplex

With the right vision, a rancher could be a good choice

Design for all spaces

Celebrate spring and summer with flowers in new and unexpected places

Recalling a first design position and the changes in interior design since

Chestnut Hill Garden District Fund’s annual spring planting has Germantown Avenue ablaze with color

How to grow flowering orchid cacti on your enclosed porch

On mothers, daughters and houseplants

Hunting for the American Chestnut in the Wissahickon

Pastorius Park: Its history, its trees and a quiz

Tree Talk: The Hill’s exotic, exponential explosion

Local Realtors offer advice for NW Philly’s tight housing market

Mt. Airy condo project preserves the property’s church community

Weathering the Storm: How wild weather affects wildlife

Ask a Rehabber: What comes after a young bird leaves the nest?

Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic limited but open

The persistent power of William Morris' design principles

Michael Morgan: Not just another brick in the wall

Valerie’s complex relationship with the morning glory family

Save Your Photos Month

Discovering Chestnut Hill: Nurses Week

Covid collecting for the Chestnut Hill Conservancy

Discovering Chestnut Hill: The Wissahickon Garden Club

Together with our community champions: Looking back at 2020 for the Chestnut Hill Conservancy

Discovering Chestnut Hill: Women’s Equality Day observed

Discover Chestnut Hill: remembrances of Chestnut Hill Past… (Part 1 Of 2)

In celebration of International Rock Day

Discover Chestnut Hill: Documenting our history and the pandemic

Discover Chestnut Hill: Earth Day turns 50