Elfreth’s Alley Opens the Doors for Fete Days
Tuesday June 7, 2005
For one day only, take a step back in time to see how families large and small have lived along our nation’s oldest residential street from Colonial times to the present day. At Fete Days, on June 11, 2005, from noon to 5 pm, Elfreth’s Alley throws open its doors and welcomes visitors from around the country and around the world. Tour a dozen of the private homes and gardens of today’s Alley residents. Experience 300 years of urban living, peek into the doorways of these distinctive homes, hear music, and enjoy craft demonstrations and hands-on activities for children of all ages.
At Fete Days, visitors can participate in activities to feel a part of Philadelphia's past. Tour the private residences and participate in craft demonstrations. See an old-fashioned theorem* painter. Meet author John T. Phillips, II, and have him sign a copy of his book, George Washington’s Rules of Civility. Drink an old-fashioned root beer float, and taste Colonial treats.
Life on the Street
Each home on Elfreth’s Alley has a story that takes visitors back through time to show how our nation formed and how Philadelphia grew and changed. Opening the festivities will be a colorful Fife and Drum Corp from Brandywine High School in Topton, Pennsylvania, kicking off the event at noon with toe-tapping patriotic music.
All afternoon, the Alley will be filled with traditional craft demonstrations such as paper-making, spinning, theorem painting, and tin punching. Tony Passerelli, the popular Windsor chairmaker, will also allow children to help him use his 18th-century tools to make a chair.
Children’s activities and food tastings will last all afternoon. Colonial music will enhance the atmosphere. Franklin Fountain, the popular local old-fashioned soda fountain, will sell root beer floats and other foods that harken back to by-gone eras.
Preserving the Past and Inspiring the Future
Established in 1702 as a cartway, the 32 domiciles on Elfreth’s Alley’s have housed thousands of people, from colleagues of Benjamin Franklin to young professional families, from immigrants to established families, from blacksmiths to bankers.
Located in the heart of Philadelphia's history-rich Old City neighborhood, Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark and the nation's oldest residential street. Each year the Alley welcomes thousands of visitors to stroll along the cobblestones and experience the 18th century homes - still private residences today - and encourage their support of this American treasure.
The Elfreth’s Alley Association, established in 1934, is dedicated to the interpretation and preservation of the historic structures of Elfreth’s Alley as a heritage site and "living" museum street.
The events will take place rain or shine from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2005. Elfreth’s Alley connects Front and 2nd Streets, between Race and Arch Streets, with convenient parking throughout the neighborhood. Tickets are available by calling 215-574-0560; adults $8, youth (12-18) $4 and children under 12 free. Further information can be found at www.elfrethsalley.org. Proceeds benefit the education and preservation programs of the Elfreth’s Alley Museum.
*Theorem Painting is an early American Decorative Technique that dates back to the first half of the 19th century. The word Theorem suggests, according to Webster’s New World Dictionary, "an expression of relations in an equation or formula." As such, the cohesive composition is achieved through a series of stencils cut in such a manner that no two areas immediately next to each other can be placed on the same stencil . Thus, any theorem will require the sequence of two or more stencils or overlays.
At Fete Days, visitors can participate in activities to feel a part of Philadelphia's past. Tour the private residences and participate in craft demonstrations. See an old-fashioned theorem* painter. Meet author John T. Phillips, II, and have him sign a copy of his book, George Washington’s Rules of Civility. Drink an old-fashioned root beer float, and taste Colonial treats.
Life on the Street
Each home on Elfreth’s Alley has a story that takes visitors back through time to show how our nation formed and how Philadelphia grew and changed. Opening the festivities will be a colorful Fife and Drum Corp from Brandywine High School in Topton, Pennsylvania, kicking off the event at noon with toe-tapping patriotic music.
All afternoon, the Alley will be filled with traditional craft demonstrations such as paper-making, spinning, theorem painting, and tin punching. Tony Passerelli, the popular Windsor chairmaker, will also allow children to help him use his 18th-century tools to make a chair.
Children’s activities and food tastings will last all afternoon. Colonial music will enhance the atmosphere. Franklin Fountain, the popular local old-fashioned soda fountain, will sell root beer floats and other foods that harken back to by-gone eras.
Preserving the Past and Inspiring the Future
Established in 1702 as a cartway, the 32 domiciles on Elfreth’s Alley’s have housed thousands of people, from colleagues of Benjamin Franklin to young professional families, from immigrants to established families, from blacksmiths to bankers.
Located in the heart of Philadelphia's history-rich Old City neighborhood, Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark and the nation's oldest residential street. Each year the Alley welcomes thousands of visitors to stroll along the cobblestones and experience the 18th century homes - still private residences today - and encourage their support of this American treasure.
The Elfreth’s Alley Association, established in 1934, is dedicated to the interpretation and preservation of the historic structures of Elfreth’s Alley as a heritage site and "living" museum street.
The events will take place rain or shine from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2005. Elfreth’s Alley connects Front and 2nd Streets, between Race and Arch Streets, with convenient parking throughout the neighborhood. Tickets are available by calling 215-574-0560; adults $8, youth (12-18) $4 and children under 12 free. Further information can be found at www.elfrethsalley.org. Proceeds benefit the education and preservation programs of the Elfreth’s Alley Museum.
*Theorem Painting is an early American Decorative Technique that dates back to the first half of the 19th century. The word Theorem suggests, according to Webster’s New World Dictionary, "an expression of relations in an equation or formula." As such, the cohesive composition is achieved through a series of stencils cut in such a manner that no two areas immediately next to each other can be placed on the same stencil . Thus, any theorem will require the sequence of two or more stencils or overlays.
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