As 2024 comes to a close, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy reflects on a year filled with preservation victories, impactful programs, and vital community support. These achievements were made possible through the dedication of members, volunteers, and partners. Together, the Conservancy has strengthened the community’s archives, advanced conservation efforts, and preserved Chestnut Hill’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The year began with the Conservancy's hybrid Annual Meeting on Jan. 18, graciously hosted by Norwood-Fontbonne Academy. Members elected new directors, including R. Scott Hanson, Rob Fleming, and Federico Mingozzi, and the Historic District Advisory Committee members. Over the summer, the board welcomed Kevin Chung, and Will Bishop later joined as treasurer. Bishop brings deep roots in Northwest Philadelphia, a career in wealth management, and a passion for history and preservation.

The Conservancy completed a community survey to guide its mission-driven work and celebrated several key preservation victories:

Chestnut Hill Women’s Center: Added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, this designation protects the building’s main façade while allowing for adaptive reuse.

Advocacy for local preservation: Executive Director Lori Salganicoff and co-founder Shirley Hanson highlighted the need for local protections in the Chestnut Hill Local. While Philadelphia lags in historic preservation safeguards, the Conservancy continues to advocate for the area, having cataloged more than 2,700 properties and secured recognition as a National Historic District.

Germantown Trust Company: This Colonial Revival landmark, designed by Arthur Brockie in 1927, was successfully nominated to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, preserving it for future adaptive reuse.

Expansion of the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Tax Credit: Collaborating with organizations statewide, the Conservancy supported legislation to expand this critical program, promoting preservation efforts across Pennsylvania.

The Conservancy’s public programs connected the community to local history, architecture, and preservation. The Discovering Chestnut Hill series of lectures and guided tours provided insight into the area’s heritage, while the Ask the Experts series, presented in collaboration with the Chestnut Hill Community Association, offered free public programs on historic home care and sustainability. Recorded programs are available on the Conservancy’s website and YouTube channel.

Events supporting the Save the Train campaign, including the Connected by Railways program and Train Stations of Chestnut Hill West walking tour, raised $2,000 to help preserve vital train service in the region.

Night of Lights returned for its seventh year, transforming Germantown Avenue into a vibrant streetscape exhibition celebrating local history and architecture. This free public event featured projected slideshows from the Conservancy’s Archives, with contributions from partner archives, including Historic Germantown and the Springfield Township Historical Society.

Thanks to support from Councilmember Cindy Bass’s office and the City of Philadelphia, this year introduced an exciting new feature: six archival videos digitally mapped onto the bricked-out windows of the historic Bell Building, accompanied by a projected Conservancy logo. The addition captivated attendees and showcased the Conservancy’s commitment to innovation in storytelling. Visit the Conservancy’s YouTube channel for drone footage of the display.

In conservation, the Conservancy implemented new Landscape Conservation Software to monitor its 52 eased properties more efficiently. Conservation and Easements Manager Krista Gebbia also engaged in peer discussions and policy reviews to enhance stewardship practices.

The Archives continued to grow, with more than 3,100 photographs added to the Chestnut Hill Local collection. Significant contributions included albums from the Wissahickon Garden Club (1932–2014), reflecting the Conservancy’s dedication to preserving diverse community histories.

December began with the sold-out Preservation Party, which celebrated the seven 2024 Preservation Recognition Award winners and unveiled five new inductees to the Architectural Hall of Fame. During the event, State Rep. Tarik Khan delivered a surprise tribute to outgoing Executive Director Lori Salganicoff, honoring her decade of leadership.

“Lori, your work has not only preserved the structures and spaces that make Chestnut Hill special but also created a sense of pride and stewardship in this community,” Khan said.

Under Salganicoff’s leadership, the Conservancy preserved 22 significant buildings—two of which were saved from active demolition—and protected more than 20 acres of open space through 14 easements.

The Preservation Party also introduced the community to incoming Executive Director David Gest, who officially begins his tenure on Jan. 6, 2025. Gest brings expertise in law, city planning, historic preservation, and community engagement and shared his enthusiasm for continuing the Conservancy’s mission.

The Conservancy’s successes in 2024 were made possible by the generous support of its members, sponsors, volunteers, and staff. Together, these efforts ensure that Chestnut Hill’s unique history, character, and open spaces are preserved and celebrated for future generations.

The Conservancy invites the community to its hybrid 2025 Annual Meeting on Jan. 9. The event will feature highlights from 2024, a presentation by Gest, membership votes on directors and HDAC members, and plans for the year ahead.