Historic Architecture in West Philadelphia, 1789-1930s by
West of the Schuylkill River, what was once Blockley and Kingsessing Townships is now West Philadelphia. Here is a comprehensive look at the rich architectural history of neighborhoods in and around University City and biographies of the architects who made it possible. In more than 500 images, see this area of the "City of Brotherly Love" transition from humble beginnings as a collection of sprawling farms and dusty hamlets to a streetcar suburb for upwardly mobile types looking to escape the old city and a haven for esteemed educational institutions. Packed with archival images, maps, and color photos, the book covers Cedar Park to Powelton Village, chronicling the charm and elegance found in West Philadelphia's architecture, much of which is still on public display. Examples include Second Empire, Victorian, Queen Anne, Collegiate Gothic, and Italianate styles. This is a global and historic review ideal for architects, urban planners, historians, and of course residents of Blockley and Kingsessing. AUTHOR: Joseph Minardi is an award-winning photographer and recipient of the 2007 Preservation Initiative Award from the University City Historical Society. He lives in Philadelphia. SELLING POINTS: Architectural history of eight West Philadelphia neighborhoods Classic architecture styles from 1789 to the 1930s Contemporary and archival images capture West Philadelphia's indelible charm 515 colour & b/w photographs
Walking Philadelphia by
Get to know the city's most vibrant and historic neighborhoods. Grab your walking shoes and become an urban adventurer. Natalie Pompilio guides you through 30 unique walking tours in this comprehensive guidebook. Go beyond the obvious with self-guided tours that showcase famed fare (such as cheesesteaks, pretzels, and beer that make Philadelphia a foodies' paradise), as well as vintage boutiques, high-end shopping destinations, and one-of-a-kind local goods. Discover Philadelphia's many "Firsts"--the first zoo, first library system, and first hospital--plus dozens of historic sites you learned about in school. Explore a Museum District that's second to none, an all-encompassing park system, America's Most Historic Square Mile, and much more. Walking Philadelphia is the only guide to the city that makes you feel like you're being led by your smartest, closest, funniest friend. The tours not only include all the important historic facts and figures, but Natalie also shares behind-the-scenes stories and tidbits that you'll later rush to tell others. Plus, Tricia Pompilio's photography brings these walking tours to life.Walking Philadelphia is recommended for locals, as well as tourists, promising something for everyone.
The Art of Defiance by
The Art of Defiance is an ethnographic portrait of how graffiti writers see their city and, in turn, how their city sees them. It explores how becoming a graffiti writer helps disenfranchised urban citizens negotiate their cultural identities, build their social capital, and gain a voice within an urban environment that would prefer they remain quiet, passive, and anonymous. In order to both demystify and complicate our understanding of the practice of graffiti writing, this book pushes past the narrative that links the origins of graffiti to criminal gangs and instead offers a detailed portrait of graffiti as a rich urban culture with its own rules and practices. To do so, it examines the cultural history of graffiti in Philadelphia from the early 1970s onward and explores what it is like to be a graffiti writer in the city today. Ultimately, Tyson Mitman aims to humanize graffiti writers and to show that what they do is not merely destructive or puerile, but, rather, adds something important to the urban experience that is a conscious and deliberate act on the part of its practitioners.
Philadelphia Mansions by
Philadelphia's grand mansions and architectural treasures reflect its iconic status in American history, for each Greek Revival home and Corinthian column tells a compelling story of the people behind it. Historic Strawberry Mansion in North Philadelphia was home to Judge William Lewis, a Patriot who defended colonists accused of treason and was Aaron Burr's defense lawyer. Socialite, millionaire and world-renowned art collector Henry McIlhenny made his home at Rittenhouse Square and left his art collection to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Famed architect Addison Mizner's Spanish Colonial Revival house La Ronda brought the stark contrast of South Florida to Philadelphia. Author Thom Nickels presents the city's most iconic homes and the stories behind them.
Discovering Philadelphia by
Discovering Philadelphia: Places Little Known is a collection of unfamiliar photographs taken and assembled with descriptive captions by local architect David S. Traub. The book covers seven geographic areas: Philadelphia's historical district in the central city; South Philadelphia; North Philadelphia; West and Southwest Philadelphia; Northwest Philadelphia; the River Wards of Fishtown, Port Richmond and Bridesburg; and the largely suburban-like district of Northeast Philadelphia
