Preserving & Promoting
Local History, Art, & Culture
Henry H. Houston II, Post 3 of the American Legion
Historic Items Secured/Preserved by RMWHS
Prior to the sale of the American Legion post building located at Ridge & Delmar, RMWHS was granted access to the building by Commander Bruce Driscoll with the hope we would take and preserve as much of the history of the post and its members as we could to ensure their legacy lives on.
The Houston Post had 3 floors packed with 106 years of local, national, and world history. I put on my archivist hat -- and with the help of RMWHS members Linda Marie Bell and Virginia Buchanan plus the assistance of Bob Enslin a 21st Ward Veterans Association member -- we secured a ton of historic materials including photos, films, negatives, membership records, posters, paintings, awards, memorabilia, and more.
It is my hope that in the coming months, I will be able to share some of the amazing history discovered at the post with the public but it will take me several months to identify, sort, organize, digitize, index, preserve, research, etc. During this time, keep an eye on the site as I share updates and images -- like the post commander portraits, photos commemorating awards and honors, and more.
I thank Commander Bruce Driscoll and the former members of Henry H. Houston II, Post 3 of the American Legion for their service and for honor of allowing RMWHS to safeguard their history. Former members of the Houston Post can reach out to me at any time with questions, information, or requests.
Georgie Gould, President, RMWHS
Henry H. Houston II
Post 3 of the American Legion
1919-2026
If you were a member of the Houston Post, or are a family member or friend of someone who was, and have history to share or a correction to give us -- please contact us.
Any Houston Post info/knowledge you share may help us to better navigate & organize the collection.
Houston Post Commander Portraits 1919-1998*
*We're still looking for 1999-2026 portraits. Have one? Contact us!
Click on any portrait below to see year & name of commander or flip through all of them.
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Local Churchyards & Cemeteries: Emergencies & Information
RMWHS offers details on who to contact if you witness a crime, want to report homeless activities, or seek burial records for a local churchyard or cemetery.
FYI - RMWHS has provided a way to reach Leverington Cemetery. Read more ...
RMWHS Treasures & Community Projects Presentation
This video shares some of RMWHS new treasures and resources publicly for the first time and current community support efforts.
Presentation includes:
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A very brief intro about RMWHS
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Historic books, maps, & deeds from the Leverington Cemetery - include some surprises and a mystery map.
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Antique and vintage bottles pulled from the Schuylkill as part of the Manayunk Canal Revitalization & Lock 68 rebuild efforts - all have been donated to RMWHS.
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Historic photos from the Hattal-Taylor VFW Museum that our president is helping to index, scan, restore, and research ... and her request for the public to help with identification of soldiers.
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And a bit about donations from Andorra (Manatawna) Church and Roxborough Baptist Church.
You can help.
Become a member & volunteer.
$10 students/$20 individuals/$30 families
Local Landmark Featured in Mini Documentary
The Epic Church and it's re-imagining of the former Roxborough Baptist Church building is featured in a new mini documentary by Joe Porter of Innovatory Films and now available for viewing.
The ~5 min film includes interviews with RMWHS's own Linda Marie Bell, who grew up in the Roxborough Baptist church and served on their Board of Trustees, and Epic Church's Pastor Jake Rainwater.
The completed film segment captures a lovely little piece of our local history and evolving community. Visuals include historic photos as well as drone footage outside of the church and cemeteries/neighborhood. And despite the fog — or maybe because of it — some of the aerial shots of the church, cemetery, and neighborhoods have an ethereal quality.
The footage highlights the sanctuary with its gorgeous windows and gracefully curved pews and illustrates the care Epic took to preserve them and incorporate them into the revitalized building.
Screenshots below are property of Innovatory Films.
BELOW - Historic Roxborough Baptist Church images provided for film. Click to expand image.
Watch Film Now >>>>>
RMWHS & the community owe a great thanks to Linda Marie Bell for sharing her time and stories for the making of this film. Through her personal memories, Linda adds a great warmth and brings the history of this beloved landmark to life.
Congratulations to Pastor Jake Rainwater & the Epic Church. And thank you for adding a new chapter to the history of the landmark and our community.
PhillyVoice Interviews RMWHS on 1304 Steps of Roxborough, Manayunk, & Wissahickon
In case you missed it, Michael Tannenbaum of PhillyVoice did a story on the 1304 steps of our area as the rebuild of a local wall and set of steps stirred up their interest. It's a quick read with some great old and new photos ... shines a spotlight on the RMWHS interactive map!
Story & resources it references:
Thanks to RMWHS members Chip Roller and Virginia Buchanan for their participation in the interview.
RMWHS Channel now on YouTube
Original videos created by RMWHS will be posted on YouTube as they become available. There is no schedule. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to be notified when something new becomes available.
RMWHS only posts what we create.
NOW AVAILABLE: Our first video takes you on a bike ride along the towpath from Shawmont Station to Lock St., featuring historic sites on the Schuylkill River and Manayunk Canal. The ~9 min video provides you with views of the waterways, murals, bridges, historic buildings, and more. RMWHS gets many inquiries from across the U.S. for the history along this 2.4 mile stretch and we thought those that can't visit it in person, might like to see it.
Memorials of the 21st Ward
RMWHS has launched a new web section -- Memorials of the 21st Ward -- which provides a listing of the 8 memorials within our area and includes a photo gallery of each.
Each memorial page will be expanded in the months and years to come as images and newspapers clippings (both new and historic) are added. If you would like to contribute an image or information for any of the memorials, please contact us. Also, if we have missed a public memorial within the Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon area, please let us know.
Each of the memorials is open to the public and all visitors (including service animals) are welcome.
We remind all visitors to be respectful not only to the memorial and grounds, but of the others who may be there remembering loved ones lost, for whom these special places were created to honor.
