Germantown: From Liberia To Philadelphia, Strengthening Community With History And Art
Trapeta Mayson has lived in the Germantown community for 20 years. She has served as the executive director at Historic Germantown since August 2014 and feels like it is a perfect fit for her interests. Mayson was born in Liberia before immigrating to the United States in May 1975 with her parents, Rebecca and Lysander, […]
Germantown: Focusing On Neighborhood History And Community Outreach
Nina Coffin is the programs and communications coordinator for the nonprofit organization Historic Germantown. She grew up in the community and attended school at Germantown Friends, so she knows the community well. Coffin focuses on community outreach to help citizens remain informed about historic sites and events. What is the difference between Historic Germantown and […]
Germantown: 5 Places Where You Can Serve the Community
Formerly a point of interest for indigenous Americans, a battleground in the American revolutionary war and a settling point for African-American and Italian-American communities, Germantown is one of the most historic places to live in America. Diverse waves of residents have been attracted to this Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood. In more recent times it has also […]
Germantown: Grumblethorpe Celebrates Walpurgis Night
You may have heard of Christmas in July, but what about Walpurgisnacht, the traditional German holiday marking the midpoint to Halloween? On Saturday evening, only the bravest Philadelphians celebrated Walpurgis Night with a haunted tour of Grumblethorpe at Germantown Avenue and Queen Lane. This was the third annual Witches’ Night Out Ghost Tour. A portion […]
Germantown: Friends of Vernon Park Hosts Countdown to Germantown Day
The Countdown to Germantown Day in Vernon Park was hosted on this week to celebrate the past, present and future of the neighborhood. The event marked the 329 and a half-year anniversary of Germantown and was a countdown to the community’s 330th anniversary, which is Oct. 6. Countdown to Germantown was hosted by the Friends […]
Germantown: Organization Offers Future for Addicts, Homeless
In The State of Homelessness in America 2012, The National Alliance to End Homelessness reported that in Philadelphia, Pa. and surrounding metropolitan areas, there are more than 11,000 homeless living on the streets and in shelters. Dignity Housing is a nonprofit organization staffing 17 employees located in the Germantown neighborhood that helps homeless Philadelphia residents […]
Germantown: Historic School and Gravesite in ‘Sweet Concord’
In colonial and early America, it would have been hard to find a place where people of all races, religions and social statuses were treated as equals. That wasn’t the case, however, at Germantown’s Upper Burying Ground, for at least a portion of its existence. When the cemetery was first opened in 1693 it was […]
Germantown: Investigating Servant Life at Historic House
Stenton is one of several well-preserved historic homes in Germantown, but the lives of the slaves and servants who worked at the property are a mostly unknown part of the area’s history. An event called “Exploring the Evidence: Uncovering the Lives of the Forgotten Servants,” which took place last Saturday, was curator Laura Keim’s attempt […]