Society Hill And Old City

In the 18th century, Society Hill was home to wealthy merchants and many members of the federal government. In Old City, artisans and workmen lived and worked in small row houses like those on Elfrerth's Alley. As Philadelphia developed, it abandoned its Colonial center. Almost forgotten by 1900, Society Hill had become home to poor immigrants and its once gracious houses had become run-down tenements, shops, and warehouses. Yet, at the same time, Society Hill remained Philadelphia's banking and insurance center. Beginning in the 1960s, under the direction of city planner Edmund Bacon and the National Park Service, this neglected neighborhood was restored. Society Hill and Old City documents how these two neighborhoods looked in the early 1900s. The book's carefully researched narrative and vintage images tell the story of these historic neighborhoods.

In the 18th century, Society Hill was home to wealthy merchants and many members of the federal government. In Old City, artisans and workmen lived and worked in small row houses like those on Elfrerth's Alley. As Philadelphia developed, it abandoned its Colonial center. Almost forgotten by 1900, Society Hill had become home to poor immigrants and its once gracious houses had become run-down tenements, shops, and warehouses. Yet, at the same time, Society Hill remained Philadelphia's banking and insurance center. Beginning in the 1960s, under the direction of city planner Edmund Bacon and the National Park Service, this neglected neighborhood was restored. Society Hill and Old City documents how these two neighborhoods looked in the early 1900s. The book's carefully researched narrative and vintage images tell the story of these historic neighborhoods.

Officially known as Washington Square Park, Philadelphia’s Society Hill district contains an impressive number of eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century houses—perhaps as many as any other comparable area in the United States. This book presents, in text and pictures, the stories of its outstanding Colonial and Early American mansions and dwellings and simple row houses; its churches and other exceptional historic buildings. Old Philadelphia Houseson Society Hill contains both notes and illustrations on the design and architectural details of early Philadelphia row houses. There are also enlightening chapters devoted to such famous places as Bell’s Court, the Drinker House and Drinker’s Court, the Head House and Old Market, the Hill-Physick-Keith House and the Latta House, Old Pine Street Church and the Pennsylvania Hospital, the Man Full of Trouble Inn and many others, all complemented by photos. Featured are the uses of brick and the traditional design and decoration of the period’s interiors, showing antique furniture and prevailing modes of interior decoration. The 150 photographs strike a nice balance of exteriors and interiors, showing characteristic basics and details of structure and charming furniture pieces and accessories of old-time daily living. Tidbits of information concerning such personages as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Benjamin Rush and other eminent Americans are scattered throughout the book.

Assessing Urban Design is a search to better understand how people perceive the physical environments that surround them. Touching on issues of urban design, planning, architecture, historic preservation, and tourism, Berman combines theoretical essays and empirical research to explore waterfront sites in Philadelphia and Yokohama.