from http://www.uchs.net/

Spring House Tour
Highlights
Rich Diversity of
University City

This spring's UCHS House Tour on Saturday May 14, includes homes and sites drawn from the neighborhoodsof Spruce Hill, Cedar Park and Garden Court, a geographical range made possible through the use of the free vintage streetcars operating that day on the special University City Trolley Loop during the tour hours from 1 to 5 pm. Tour goers can experience “the rich diversity of University City” in visits to over a dozen architectural environments in this historic “streetcar suburb,” from restored Victorian townhouses, Edwardian mansions, Queen Anne twins, Jazz age condominiums and retrofitted 20’s row houses along with a variety of spectacular reclaimed and new local public landmarks.

Commentaries by home and property owners will point out the unique features “in the details” of their personal environments, from distinctive architectural or design elements, chapters in their own personal histories of restoration, renovation or reuse and physical reflections of the occupants’ diverse backgrounds and personalities.

Friends of Independence National Historical ParkThe UCHS tour is one of the 27 tour offerings, between April 29 to June 11, 2005, of the 27th season of Philadelphia Open House, an umbrella of house tours sponsored by the Friends of Independence National Historical Park. The general public can order tickets in advance for all of them, using the form on the POH website.

The Alumni Office of the University of Pennsylvania is also publicizing the house tour and the trolley excursion on May 14 as part of Penn’s Alumni Weekend, so we hope to have many other visitors from outside the neighborhood join us.

However, as a special membership benefit, current and new members of the University City Historical Society may order discounted advance sale tickets for the University City tour directly from UCHS using this flyer (can also be used to sign up for UCHS membership). Rather than the $30 advanced sale price for the general public, UCHS members may purchase tickets for $20 each with checks made to “UCHS” at P.O.Box 31927, Phila, PA 19104.

All advance sale registrations and payments for the tour must be received prior to Friday, May 13 to permit the return of written confirmations which must be presented at the tour’s start, the Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 48th and Baltimore Avenue. Those purchasing tickets without a pre-paid reservation will be charged a $5 handling fee on the day of the tour in addition to the POH ticket price.

Also on view at Calvary on the tour day will be an exhibit of the work of West Philadelphia artist, Suzanne Francis, whose portraits of homes, pets and people can be commissioned at (215) 473-0165. Her line drawing of one of the tour sites is shown above.

So, this spring, use your UCHS membership to order your tour tickets, get aboard the trolley and get the inside look at some of the most interesting spaces University City has to offer with the best tour guides available who really love their subjects.

Very cool. Damn shame I have to go to a Graduation Party

I'll be there. I can't wait!

__________________
- George -

http://www.barackobama.com

Its historic trolley day today (Sat. 5/14) and UC house tour day so maybe I'll see folksa aorund the neighborhood.