Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Night of Lights returns

The Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Night of Lights, conceived six years ago to bring the neighborhood's rich history to Germantown Avenue while showcasing the vast archives it is preserving, is an excellent way for long-time residents and newcomers to learn more about the place they call home.

“History is about learning people’s stories, whether it be building a new home, starting a small, family-run business, bringing a unique craft from the old country, or learning more about the vision that created our special and unique corner of the world,” noted Dan Macey, a Conservancy board member who was instrumental in organizing the first Night of Lights. “These stories can now be experienced in a fun, new way all along the Avenue that is a perfect way to allow a new generation to understand better the place they live.” 

This year’s nine-evening run, a vibrant nightly streetscape exhibition of eight illuminated windows that depict local histories, starts Friday, Oct. 6, and will run from 7 to 9 p.m. along the Avenue between Willow Grove Avenue and Bethlehem Pike. Night of Lights is part of Archives Month Philly and is proud to participate in the DesignPhiladelphia Festival, which is a testament to Philadelphia's incredible architecture and design. 

Each of the eight illuminated windows will present themed slideshows comprising historical images and educational content.

Sponsors include Chubb, Chestnut Hill Hotel, George Woodward Co., MIS Capital, The Sivel Group, Unique Indoor Comfort, Bowman Properties, Electrical Wizardry Inc., Elfant Wissahickon REALTOR, Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, Inc., Robertson’s Flower and Events, and Garden State Tile. Night of Lights is also possible through the support and partnership of many local businesses, including the Chestnut Hill Business District and Chestnut Hill Local.

Eight different slideshows and opening night storytellers

Join the Conservancy for an illuminating experience on opening night as they unveil eight captivating slideshows illuminating the history and heritage of Chestnut Hill. These slideshows will be on view nightly from Friday, Oct. 6 to Saturday, Oct.14, from 7 to 9 p.m. Opening night on Friday is the only night to feature storytellers.

During the Oct. 6 – 14 event, each of the eight illuminated windows will present themed slideshows comprising historical images and educational content, which will be projected through storefront windows.

The themes of this year’s slideshows are:

• “Antique Postcards from the Wissahickon” – From the collections of David Bower and Friends of the Wissahickon, Presented by David Bower and sponsored by Chubb
• “George Washington’s March through Flourtown, Chestnut Hill, and Germantown” – October 4, 1777, Presented by Liz and Andrew Jarvis and sponsored by The Sivel Group
• “Germantown Avenue” – Chestnut Hills’ beloved, evolving Main Street, Presented by Lori Salganicoff and sponsored by Bowman Properties
• “Inspiration by Design” – The architects who created Chestnut Hill, Presented by George McNeely and sponsored by Unique Indoor Comfort
• “Legacy Spotlight” – Exploring five multi-generational businesses, Presented by Chrissy Clawson and Liz Jarvis and sponsored by Electric Wizardry, Inc.
• “Lots to Offer” – The origins of the Business District parking lots, Presented by Alex Bartlett and sponsored by the Chestnut Hill Hotel
• “The Olmsted Legacy in Chestnut Hill” – What’s been lost, what survives, what might have been, Presented by Robert Fleming and sponsored by MIS Capital

“This Green Old House” – Practical guidance for sustainable preservation, Presented by Lori Salganicoff and sponsored by George Woodward