Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Legacy of the Free Society of Traders

www.rebeccahaegelephotography.com
Society Hill Spring Garden 

If you know anything about Pennsylvania
you should know that is was founded by a Quaker, William Penn.
As a result, Quakerism is huge in Pennsylvania's history.

www.rebeccahaegelephotography.com
A Cobblestone Alley of Society Hill 

Take, for example, the Free Society of Traders.
They were Quakers who founded the neighborhood of Society Hill
named after their society.
(I just learned that myself... 
all my life I though Society Hill was named for its well-to-do residents.) 

www.rebeccahaegelephotography.com
Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 

Today, Society Hill is one of the most desirable neighborhoods
in the city of Philadelphia.
But that was not always the case.
Before my lifetime
it had become a city slum.
I can hardly image that today.

www.rebeccahaegelephotography.com
Thirteen Stars 

Thanks to an urban renewal program
this neighborhoood became a charming neighborhood
complete with cobblestone streets
and historic homes in the Federal and Georgian Styles.

www.rebeccahaegelephotography.com
Society Mail 

And if you'd like a Society Hill mailing address of your own,
a million might get your one of the little row houses.
You'll need much more than that for something bigger.
And then...the taxes...the traffic...
forget it,

www.rebeccahaegelephotography.com
Cycle Friendly  

I'll think I'll stay in suburbia.





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All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.

19 comments:

Tamar SB said...

we used to walk there all the time when i was little - i would imagine i lived in one of those homes on the cobble stone streets!

MadSnapper said...

I did not know that about the Quakers either, this community has been in all the books I have read over the years, the names are familar only from reading. the buildings in your photos are fantasist... i love that narrow cobbled street or pathway. super shot on the letter box.

Mersad said...

What a charming part of the city. Love the cobblestone streats. Your images are perfect relly like the light in them. Have a great day Rebecca!

Mersad said...

What a charming part of the city. Love the cobblestone streats. Your images are perfect relly like the light in them. Have a great day Rebecca!

Wayne said...

I had no idea the name came to Society Hill, very interesting. Hard to imagine it was a slum.

Laurie said...

What a beautiful neighborhood! At least that guy knows how to beat the traffic. :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful..... makes me want to be there... it looks so quite, simple and peaceful!

Tom said...

What a fabulous neighborhood! Tom The Backroads Traveller

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely series of beautiful photos and great BW shot ~ very creative!

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

Amy said...

such lovely photos, and good to learn new information, looks like my sort of place to visit :-)

Linda Kay said...

I've seen stories of other areas in cities where the buildings have been transformed into very expensive dwelling with a bit of history. This is a great example. Love the cobblestone street.

doodles n daydreams said...

It looks like a pretty city and I too love the cobblestones. Lots of atmosphere.

Diana

Adrienne said...

These are fantastic shots of a beautiful area of the city!! My dad's an architect - and this renewal project took place through my childhood years. He'd take me to visit different parts of the work from time to time. I think I fell in love with the notion of historic renovation during this time. I've always wanted to live in an histoic home that he renovated. Don't think that'll ever come to be - but I do so enjoy visiting any historic property. Tnanks for sharing these!

abrianna said...

Lovely shots of the neighborhood and I did not know it had been a slum. I knew that only the wealthy could live there.

NCSue said...

Very cool photos - almost makes me yearn for city life. (But not...)
I hope you'll stop by and check out my Wordless post at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/04/french-corner-bakery.html

Molly said...

I have walked these very streets and look forward to doing so again in August. I LOVE Philly

mollyxxx

cedarmerefarm said...

I recently visited Philadelphia and really enjoyed my visit. It's such a beautiful city with so much history. Cobblestone streets are so lovely.

Linda W. said...

Nice cityscape photos! These old homes are beautiful.

Leesha said...

what a lovely collection of photos!