Join the Chestnut Hill Conservancy on Tuesday, May 19, to celebrate Chestnut Hill’s role in the American Revolution. The program, “From Colony to Commemoration: Chestnut Hill’s Role in Realizing and Remembering the Revolution,” will be virtual and exclusive to members of the Conservancy.
The first part of the evening program will be led by Liz Jarvis, a former curator and archivist of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, and will examine the inner workings of 18th-century Chestnut Hill. It will also highlight the events of Oct. 4, 1777, when George Washington led 4,000 soldiers down what is now Bethlehem Pike and Germantown Avenue to attack British forces in Germantown.
After the battle, British troops made their way through Chestnut Hill, burning houses and taking goods. Some of the Revolutionary War soldiers killed were buried at Yeakel Cemetery, near Stenton Avenue.
The second part of the program will be led by Tom Keels, author of several historical works, and will explore Philadelphia’s 1926 Sesquicentennial International Exposition and its connection to Chestnut Hill. Keels showcases Chestnut Hill residents Elizabeth Price and others who developed innovative exhibits that influenced the direction of historic preservation and public history.
The program will end with a question-and-answer session, and all registered attendees will have access to the recording.
This is a free event but to attend, advance registration is required and participants must have an active Conservancy membership valid as of May 18. The Zoom link will be emailed approximately one day before the program. More information is available at chconservancy.org.
