Annual Appeal

"If we weren’t working with the Preservation Alliance this project never would have come to fruition."

Dear Friends,

I would like to share with you the story of a building that might have been lost if it were not for a recent partnership between the Preservation Alliance and a concerned community. This may seem like a small project, but it is one that will have a major impact on a neighborhood.

When residents of the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood in North Philadelphia learned that SEPTA intended to demolish an old trolley depot, they contacted the Preservation Alliance for assistance. The building, at 33rd and Dauphin Streets, is a beloved neighborhood landmark that they didn’t want to lose. Built in 1902, it is the only facility of its kind in Philadelphia.

Recently, the Alliance learned that SEPTA had submitted new plans to the Art Commission for a partial preservation of the depot along with reconstruction of the trolley – now bus – bays in a sympathetic historic style, but the community had never seen these plans. We arranged to get the plans to residents and stood before the Art Commission with the residents to support preservation of historic elements and features. The Commission acknowledged these concerns and as a result, SEPTA met with the community and redesigned the project to one we could all support.

In the words of Tyrone Williams, community liaison for the Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center, Inc.:

If we weren’t working with the Preservation Alliance this project never would have come to fruition. They helped us save a major historic landmark in our community. The work the Alliance does is so important, not just in Strawberry Mansion, but in the entire city. Historic architecture is part of the richness of community, and historic buildings bring out the original, true beauty of a neighborhood. We look forward to future collaborations with the Alliance on projects in Strawberry Mansion, especially the preservation of the John Coltrane house.

This collaborative effort is but one example of the Preservation Alliance’s extensive work with community residents to help protect features that are essential to the character and history of their neighborhoods. Please help us continue this important work by making a 100% tax deductible contribution to our Annual Fund. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,



John Andrew Gallery
Executive Director

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^{Since this gift does not entitle you to any goods or services, it is fully deductible under current federal tax law.  The official registration and financial information of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.  Registration does not imply endorsement.}