The Evolution of a National Historic Landmark: Elfreths Alley in Philadelphia
This arts study will define the importance of Elfreths Alley as one of Philadelphia’s oldest urban areas and the evolution of preserving the site as a National Historic Landmark. In the early 1700s, Elfreths Alley was a subdivision project that sought to house various members of shipping community near the docking areas of Philadelphia. Throughout the 19th century, Elfreths Alley became a center for industrialization that housed many differing immigrant communities, and especially, the Irish. The housing structure of Elfreths Alley are primarily that of a Georgina colonial style, which were preserved over the centuries until the formation of the Eflreth Alley Association
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The premise of Elfreths Alley as a National Historic Landmark defines the community-based initiative to form the Elfreths Alley Association in 1934, which set the foundation for the historical designation of this area in 1960: “One of the earliest National Historic Landmarks—designated in 1960—the site is marketed today by the EAA as “our nation’s oldest residential street” (Harris, 2007, p.182). The purpose of Elfreth's Alley was primarily to house members of shipping community in the 18th century, but the influx of Irish immigrants in the 19th century made this area of the city a housing center for industrial workers. In some cases, the Irish immigrants would work at factories that were placed right alongside Elfreth's Alley during this historical period. This historical perspective f\defines the many differing levels of class orientation that defines the many differing people that had lived in these housing units over the centuries. These historical facets of Elfreth’s Alley are important features of why the city eventually made this area into a National Historic Landmark as one of the oldest examples of housing units that still survive after nearly 300 …show more content…
More so, the current status of these historical homes are primarily residential in the 21st century, which defines the relative importance of a historical housing that still exists in the city. Much like the real estate ambitions of Gilbert and Wells in 1702, it is still apparent that the Elfreths Alley Association provides a context in which these homes can be preserved as a National Historic Landmark for modern residents that currently own these homes: “[These owners] did own houses and invested their profits by purchasing or erecting houses to be rented by younger or less prosperous craftsmen and shopkeepers” (Moss & Crane, 1998, 28). In the 20th and 21st centuries, the evolution of this style of home purchasing was developed by the Elfreths Alley Association, which then allowed certain homes to be sold to qualified individuals that were willing to preserve the colonial and historical aspects of the area. These are important aspects of real estate dimension of home ownership in Elfreth's Alley, which makes it one of the more exclusive neighborhoods in a historic district of the city. Although some of the homes are privately owned, the city provides a great deal of financial and economic support to preserve this area for tourism on the dock
I am from a small town called Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania. It is along the Delaware River, about 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia. Bristol Borough was founded in 1681. This is the states third oldest borough, that was once a busy river port with important shipbuilding activities (Cohen 438). It is predominately residential, with the exception of Mill Street, the community's traditional commercial street. It includes fine examples of many major styles and idioms, reflecting the community's long history and its importance as a transportation and commercial center (Owen 133). The 28-acre Bristol Industrial Historic District includes the original town of Bristol and the residential area that extends northeast along the bank of the Delaware River (Owen 132). The Bristol Industrial Historic District is a significant collection of the factory and mill complexes containing elements dating from 1875-1937 (Owen 133). Among the mills is the Grundy Mill Complex. It is a visual representation of industrial growth of Bristol Borough. This mill was run by Joseph R. Grundy. The dramatic scale of later buildings stand as the source and monument to the wealth and power of Joseph Grundy (Owen 145). Joseph Grundy was the proprietor of the Bristol Worsted Mills, and one of the most prominent manufacturers and businessmen of Bucks County (Green 252). The Bristol Worsted Mills no longer run but the building is still standing. Bristol owes a lot to Joseph R. Grundy for his contributions to the people and the town itself.
A review of his methodology shows the time and energy that entering this book. He uses a variety of sources for his research and evidence of good sources such as newspapers; memoirs; diaries; census figures; real estate listings; private letters and documents; journals and memoirs; public records and statements; the federal and local
Elijah Anderson, a modern day sociologist, takes us on a walk down Germantown Avenue. Germantown Avenue is a major thoroughfare in the City of Philadelphia, which connects to inner city Philadelphia to some of the surrounding high-wealth suburbs. Philadelphia has a rich and long history, not all of which is good. Many people when speaking of Philadelphia comment on their diverse neighborhoods, much like little towns. Unfortunately, while some of these neighborhoods are good, some are just life threatening dangerous. Anderson through his writing is able to articulate a visual distinction as he walks down Germantown Avenue.
Today people now see the 'once' flash apartments, to be an eyesore. This shows the differences in taste from then to now. During the 1800's many about thirteen local houses lined Handbridge this could be because of the big demand of drink from workers who were once employed by the millers. Now there is only five remaining including 'The Ship' and 'Grosvenor Arms'.
Lewiston, Idaho, once an important port for miners traveling in search of gold, is now a town of about 30,000 people. Few of the people who live in the Lewis-Clark Valley speak of its over one hundred year history. However, there are still parts of the community where one can explore and see the age of the town. Downtown Lewiston is one of a few areas where people can go exploring. They wander the streets, admiring the buildings that stand proudly above them. One building in particular ties a unique history into the downtown area. Morgan’s Alley stands at the corner of Main Street and D Street, overlooking the cars and people passing by. On the outside, it looks like an ordinary, older building. On the inside, it holds secrets of the past and possibly a ghost.
The location of interest in which is central to this research project is small section of a city that has a significant cultural impact: Little Italy. Little Italy, or College street West is an lively neighbourhood located in Toronto, Ontario and is best known for it’s countless amount of Italian eateries, cafes, farmer market and little shops. Little Italy is a strip located on College street, that reaches all the way from Ossington Avenue to as far as Bathurst Street. (Seen in Figure 6) For this assignment, I tried to focus my research on a smaller section of little Italy that reached from Palmerston avenue throughout Clinton Street on the main strip of college. As old as the neighbourhood is, Little Italy is
...n Alley." Historic Districts Council. Historic Districts Council, 14 Nov 2008. Web. 24 Nov 2013. .
Price, Sean. "IRISH IMMIGRANTS AND The Rise Of Tammany Hall." Junior Scholastic 105.13 (2003): 12. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 4 May 2014.
Ames Room Essay An Ames room is a distorted room that is used to create an optical illusion. It was created by an American ophthalmologist named Adelbert Ames, Jr. in 1934. The same room wasn’t constructed until the following year in 1935. It tricks people into being ordinary cubic shaped, but the true shape of this room is trapezoidal since the walls are slanted and the ceiling and the floor are inclined. As a result of the optical illusion, a figure or person standing in one corner appears to the person looking through the hole of the room( box) to be very big, while the other figure or person standing in the other corner appears to be too little.
In “The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop, the narrator attempts to understand the relationship between humans and nature and finds herself concluding that they are intertwined due to humans’ underlying need to take away from nature, whether through the act of poetic imagination or through the exploitation and contamination of nature. Bishop’s view of nature changes from one where it is an unknown, mysterious, and fearful presence that is antagonistic, to one that characterizes nature as being resilient when faced against harm and often victimized by people. Mary Oliver’s poem also titled “The Fish” offers a response to Bishop’s idea that people are harming nature, by providing another reason as to why people are harming nature, which is due to how people are unable to view nature as something that exists and goes beyond the purpose of serving human needs and offers a different interpretation of the relationship between man and nature. Oliver believes that nature serves as subsidence for humans, both physically and spiritually. Unlike Bishop who finds peace through understanding her role in nature’s plight and acceptance at the merging between the natural and human worlds, Oliver finds that through the literal act of consuming nature can she obtain a form of empowerment that allows her to become one with nature.
To appreciate a row house neighborhood, one must first look at the plan as a whole before looking at the individual blocks and houses. The city’s goal to build a neighborhood that can be seen as a singular unit is made clear in plan, at both a larger scale (the entire urban plan) and a smaller scale (the scheme of the individual houses). Around 1850, the city began to carve out blocks and streets, with the idea of orienting them around squares and small residential parks. This Victorian style plan organized rectangular blocks around rounded gardens and squares that separated the row houses from major streets. The emphasis on public spaces and gardens to provide relief from the ene...
Jacobs, Jane. "12-13." The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Random House, 1961. N. pag. Print.
Many researchers have theorized why the wealthy desire to move back into the city. Schwirian believes that many wealthy people are drawn to the architectural design of some of these old houses in urban areas (Schwirian 96). Harvey believes in a number of theories, and ...
When Willy and Linda purchased their home in Brooklyn, it seemed far removed from the city. Willy was young and strong and he believed he had a future full of success. He and his sons cut the tree limbs that threatened his home and put up a hammock that he would enjoy with his children. The green fields filled his home with wonderful aromas. Over the years, while Willy was struggling to pay for his home, the city grew and eventually surrounded the house.
There are various influences on everyone’s lives while growing up. I believe the greatest of these influences is the neighborhood you grew up in. I grew up in a quite large, welcoming neighborhood. While living in this neighborhood, I was outgoing and remarkably talkative. Making friends became second nature to me. Playing outdoors from sunrise to sundown playing sports or exploring the outdoors with my friends became a daily routine for me. I was outgoing, talkative, and active. I believe this is the result of the neighborhood I grew up in.