Continuing on with more Philadelphia ephemera; it constantly amazes me that I can still find this stuff from 70+ years ago. I recently came across this flyer and pass (ticket) for the Franklin Institute, dated April 1944. I actually had this back in Feb 2023, but decided it would be cool to wait until April 2023, to reflect the Franklin Institute a short 79 years ago.
Continue reading “Franklin Institute – Flyer and Day Pass – April 1944”Franklin Institute Science After Hours “Flannel and Frost”
The last time I attended a Franklin Institute “Science After Hours” event was 2020; with a 1920s theme. From science facts about alcohol to a jazz band parading down the marble staircase with 100+ people in tow, it was certainly awesome. Little did we know that only a couple weeks after that event, things would get very different. Fast forward to last week, I finally got back for another science after hours: Flannel and Frost!
Continue reading “Franklin Institute Science After Hours “Flannel and Frost””Franklin Institute – Very Early Member Letters
Just when you think finding 70 year old stuff is cool, finding 111 year old stuff is even cooler! These two letters were both addressed to the same person in Philadelphia, as they were likely a “member” back then. The postmarks on the cards match the dates seen.
Just to put things into perspective, if you’re familiar with the Franklin Institute, the older of these letters pre-date the current 1936 building by more than two decades! At the time, they had a building on 7th Street, which is actually still there and had housed the Philadelphia History Museum after the Franklin Institute moved to the current building.
In this first letter, they mention the outing at Woodside Park, which was an amusement park located just outside Fairmount Park in Philadelphia.
And with a quick search or two, I believe this may have been the grain elevator the second letter refers to! I’m assuming there was a park or place nearby?
(Image from the Philadelphia Free Library)
Postcards – Early Wanamaker Organ & Store, Philadelphia
I was going through some postcards I recently acquired and thought I should post these up. These are the only postcards of the Wanamaker store and Organ that I’ve ever found. The Wanamaker organ is the world’s largest fully-functional musical instrument, and is still at the former Wanamaker’s Store (now Macy’s) in Philadelphia. The organ has been fully restored, and the facade was restored in 2020.
Continue reading “Postcards – Early Wanamaker Organ & Store, Philadelphia”Franklin Institute 1874 Exhibition Stereograph – I got one!
I previously talked about the 1874 Franklin Institute Exhibition in a couple of past posts like this one, which had some links to various stereographs; a primitive way to present 3d-like images, similar to the VR goggles we use today with cell phones. (Makes me wonder if there’s an app to view these old pics). Anyway, I’m pleased to share one I actually found myself!
Continue reading “Franklin Institute 1874 Exhibition Stereograph – I got one!”One Year Ago Today: 2020 Philadelphia Auto Show “Black Tie Tailgate”
Hard to believe it was a year ago. It feels like 10 years ago, and on top of that, a bit ironic; for someone that nearly never wore a suit outside of a Wedding or Funeral, to actually wear a suit out to an event. Perhaps it really was a funeral…for events?
Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: 2020 Philadelphia Auto Show “Black Tie Tailgate””1876 Philadelphia Centennial Trade Card – Potsdamer & Co.
Ok, I’ll readily admit this site likely seems boring and conservative; even I wouldn’t have imagined that despite having more hobbies than brains, that the thing I’d be posting about the most are…postcards? Really?? Like I needed another hobby. I promise I’ll post some more fun stuff in the near future, until then…the boring stuff LOL. I’m not all “conservative” either; the heavy metal music rattles the antiques too much.
Continue reading “1876 Philadelphia Centennial Trade Card – Potsdamer & Co.”Leeland Mansion Postcard – 1917
As I’m from Conshohocken, PA, I got interested in the history of it in the recent past, with books like this one, as well as other books, events, and web sites hosted by Jack and Brian Coll of Coll’s Custom Framing.
Conshohocken is a small town with a big name, and even bigger history. Having had it’s place in the industrial revolution, Conshohocken, or “Conshy”, was known for immigrants, and industry; including (but not limited to) steel, textiles, surgical supplies, and tires. (It was also known for supposedly having a record for most churches, bars, and funeral homes in a square mile, or something like that?) ANYWAY, a notable figure in that history was J. Ellwood Lee, a Conshohocken native-turned-inventor who was awarded a number of patents, earlier with surgical supplies he started making in his attic, and later to rubber, eventually founding the Lee Tire Company.
Continue reading “Leeland Mansion Postcard – 1917”PhillyClassic 4 Video Game Expo – Pics, and a Tribute
Here in 2020, it seems like any time since March of 2020 (about 5 months ago in reality), seems like a literal eternity. Going back beyond that, like 16 years back, for an 80s kid that will always be a kid at heart, is a bit overwhelming to process. With practically no events, shows, or things to do, I’ve recently started getting nostalgic for the old PhillyClassic video game expos that used to take place at (what once was) the Valley Forge Expo Center, now Valley Forge Casino Event Center.
Continue reading “PhillyClassic 4 Video Game Expo – Pics, and a Tribute”More Frankin Institute Cards
Got in a few more Franklin Institute cards today. These appear to be from the 60s. I found these interesting as you contrast what the place looks like today.
