Roxborough
Manayunk
Wissahickon
Historical
Society

Historical Maps 1854 < Previous > Back to Historical Map List < Next > 1854 - Consolidated Phila Wards Source: URL: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3824p.ct008335 Full Name: An outline of the newly consolidated city, showing the boundaries of the wards : according to the act passed by the Legislature, Jany. 31st, 1854 Visit the source URL to use zoom features, find additional formats, or download a high quality image.

eb2be089-e03b-49a2-bf71-97f30136b8df Ridge Ave Roxborough Historic District Native Americans Prior to the European settlement, Native Americans from the Lenni Lenape or Delaware Nation inhabited the area that the settlers named Roxborough. A Native American trail predating William Penn and his establishment of Pennsylvania, known as the Perkiomen Path, ran along the line of what is today Ridge Avenue. The Perkiomen Path connected the area around the confluence of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers where Penn later established Philadelphia with the Native American village at Manatawny, now Pottstown, and lands farther to the west. Like Ridge Avenue, the trail ran up from the Falls of the Schuylkill, along the ridge rising between the valleys of the Schuylkill River and the Wissahickon Creek, and into what is now Montgomery County. 2 Through his surveyor Thomas Holme, William Penn purchased the land between the Schuylkill River and Pennypack Creek, including the area that would become Roxborough, from a group of Lenni Lenape leaders in July 1684 (Figure 4). Although Swedes and other Europeans had settled in the Delaware Valley in the mid seventeenth century, it does not appear that any Europeans had established permanent settlements in the Roxborough area prior to the 1684 purchase. Describe your image This information has been posted by RMWHS with the permission of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Sections: 1 Intro and Nomination Form 2 Boundary and Description 3 Statement of Significance 4 Native Americans 5 Patent Holders and Early Settlers 6 Ridge Road 7 Early Roxborough 8 Georgian and Colonial Architecture 9 During the Revolutionary War 10 Federal Architecture 11 Development of Manayunk 12 Greek Revival Architecture 13 Early 19th Century 14 Gothic Revival Architecture 15 Italianate Architecture 16 During and After the Civil War 17 Second Empire Architecture 18 Queen Anne Architecture 19 Turn of the Century 20 Conclusion and Bibliography 2 Paul A. W. Wallace, Indian Paths of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1965; reprinted, 1998), p. 127-128. Top of page

Historical Maps 1753 < Previous > Back to Historical Map List < Next > 1753 - Phila & Adjacent Source: URL: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3824p.ar130600 Full Name: A map of Philadelphia and parts adjacent Visit the source URL to use zoom features, find additional formats, or download a high quality image.

892063a6-3891-459f-97da-a2a89230562c Main Street Manayunk Historic District Bibliography Albert, Harlow, A History of the Schuylkill Navigation , New York, NY, 1926 McCullough, Robert and Leube, Walter, The Pennsylvania Main Line Canal , Copyright 1973. National Science Foundation, Manayunk An Urban Community , Studies in Social Organization . Final Technical Report, December 1975. The Schuylkill - Manayunk Canal , The Trustees of Rutgers College in New Jersey, 1931. Scharf & Westcott, History of Philadelphia 1682 - 1886 , Philadelphia, 1886. Shank, William H. P. E., The Amazing Pennsylvania Canal , American Canal and Transportation Center, York, Pennsylvania, 1973. Three Hundred Years with the Pennsylvania Travelers , American Canal and Transportation Center, York, Pennsylvania, 1976. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Campbell Collection Scrapbooks . This information has been posted by RMWHS with the permission of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Sections: 1 Intro and Nomination Form 2 Description 3 Significance of Manayunk 4 The Schuylkill Canal 5 Schuylkill Navigation Company 6 Manayunk Canal 7 Economic Development 8 Manayunk Social Development 9 The Industry of Venice Island 10 Main Street Manayunk 11 Bibliography 12 Boundary Details Top of page

19ed4f31-8ca3-4476-b9f4-bc35ce342470 Main Street Manayunk Historic District Main Street Manayunk Although the industrial areas of Venice Island were substantially developed by the 1870s, Main Street did not reach the peak of its development as a commercial and retail center until the early 20th century. In the mid-19th century, Main Street served as the principal land route for the transportation of people and goods in and out of Manayunk. It initially developed as a residential street and business center, responding to the industrial growth of Venice Island. In 1850, the Girard College and Manayunk horse drawn streetcar line operating on Main Street was completed linking Manayunk to the city via Ridge Avenue. At this time, the south side of Main Street was largely open to the canal. Bridges at cross streets connected Main Street to Venice Island. The north side of Main Street was almost fully developed between Pensdale and Carson with residential development on side streets north of Main Street extended as far up as Silverwood Street. Describe your image Through the 1870s, industrial development on Venice Island continued and the business center grew as commercial development spread along the south side of Main Street between Lock and Grape Streets. Much of this growth came in the form of mill offices. With the increasing importance of Main Street as a business center, hotels developed on the north side of Main Street, near the railroad station, and also banks, such as the Manayunk National Bank at Levering and Main. By 1890, development of the south side of Main Street extended west to the 4300 block of Main Street, including the Manayunk Trust Co., at 4336 Main Street. By the close of the century Main Street had become the commerce and institutional center for Manayunk. Describe your image Main Street in the early 1900s remained a business and commerce center tied to Venice Island industry rather than a retail shopping district. By the 1920s, the south side of Main Street was fully developed, breaking any visual link between the commercial district and the canal industrial zone. However, as suburban residential growth occurred in Roxborough the character of Main Street shifted to retail shopping and entertainment catering to local trade. The Empress Theater was constructed on the site of the last remaining hotel on Main Street at 4439, and department stores such as the Foster Department Store at number 4268 and Propper Brothers at Levering Street north of Main Street. Describe your image The Depression years brought the closing of many mills in Manayunk and the decline of Main Street as a community retail center. New retail activity concentrated first on the strip shopping district along Ridge Avenue, and then in the freestanding shopping centers, further west on Ridge Avenue. After a long period of decline evidenced by many vacant stores, there is renewed interest in the commercial strip, as antique shops, and restaurants, seeking out low rent locations, have established businesses on Main Street. Recently, one of the larger structures on Main Street has been renovated for professional office use. This information has been posted by RMWHS with the permission of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Sections: 1 Intro and Nomination Form 2 Description 3 Significance of Manayunk 4 The Schuylkill Canal 5 Schuylkill Navigation Company 6 Manayunk Canal 7 Economic Development 8 Manayunk Social Development 9 The Industry of Venice Island 10 Main Street Manayunk 11 Bibliography 12 Boundary Details Top of page

7d8c98b4-f576-44c6-9419-0207810462ac Main Street Manayunk Historic District Map Note: RMWHS has divided the original maps into smaller sections so that viewers can of the original map, RMWHS had divided it into smaller sections to allow viewers to open full screen and permit details to be legible. Describe your image Section A: Flat Rock Dam, Lock Keeper's House, Upper Lock (Click to open full screen) Describe your image Section B: Upper End of Flat Rock Road & the Fountain Street Bridge (Click to open full screen) Describe your image Section C: Leverington Street & Green Lane Bridges, Upper Main Street (Click to open full screen) Describe your image Section D: Cotton & Lock Street Bridges, Lower Main Street (Click to open full screen) Describe your image This information has been posted by RMWHS with the permission of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Sections: 1 Intro and Nomination Form 2 Description 3 Significance of Manayunk 4 The Schuylkill Canal 5 Schuylkill Navigation Company 6 Manayunk Canal 7 Economic Development 8 Manayunk Social Development 9 The Industry of Venice Island 10 Main Street Manayunk 11 Bibliography 12 Boundary Details Top of page

Historical Maps 1843 < Previous > Back to Historical Map List < Next > 1843 - Phila County Source: URL: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3824p.la000784b/ Full Name: A map of the county of Philadelphia : from actual survey Visit the source URL to use zoom features, find additional formats, or download a high quality image.

Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society provides history and information on cemeteries and churchyards/graveyards in our area. However, we are not responsible for them. Please use this info to contact a local institution. Cemeteries & Churchyards CONTACTS: Vandalism/Crime - If you have witnessed a crime or see something that poses a danger, call 911. There isn't a cemetery or churchyard that will be upset about neighbors and residents helping keep our neighborhoods safe. Homeless - The homeless can be found throughout the year sleeping or camping out almost anywhere in the 21st Ward. Police ask that you do not approach or attempt to chase them off -- you should contact the 5th District Police instead. Burial Info - Always check Findagrave.com first . More info will be posted for each cemetery/churchyard when ready. Um, Cemetery or Churchyard? OR Roxborough Baptist Churchyard Use the RMWHS map below to determine if an issue you have witnessed and wish to report is in Leverington Cemetery or the old Roxborough Baptist Churchyard (owned by Epic Church). Then notify the appropriate contacts. Leverington Cemetery Memorial Day 2021 Click/tap on a spot on the map to magnify it. Some browsers/devices work better than others. These are 2 separate properties with 2 different owners but there is no visible, physical border between them. The burial spaces run nearly seamlessly against each other. Determining where one property ends and the other starts can be tricky. If you can't decide, contact both property owners AFTER you report the emergency to the police. Leverington Cemetery* Vandalism & Other Crimes Call 911 immediately After you call 911, alert Leverington Cemetery and include the date and details you reported to 911. Homeless in Leverington Cemetery Report it to 5th District Police 215-686-3050 After you call the 5th, alert Leverington Cemetery and include the date and details you reported it. *The owners of the Leverington Cemetery are unable to update their website with their new contact info. The RMWHS form provided sends your note directly to the owner -- we do not get involved. Epic Church/Baptist Churchyard Vandalism & Other Crimes Call 911 immediately Then inform Epic Church at 215-525-9193 Homeless in the old Baptist Churchyard Report it to 5th District Police 215-686-3050 Then inform Epic Church at 215-525-9193 Neighbors & witnesses must contact the police & property owners directly. RMWHS cannot address issues or report issues for you. Thank you for being a good neighbor.

Research assistance is provided by volunteer archivists who are available by appointment only. Detailed research assistance is available for a nominal fee that supports the preservation of the RMWHS Archive. ALWAYS check findagrave.com , Ancestry.com , and FamilySearch.com for records FIRST. Virtual Research Consult RMWHS may be able to provide you with resource guidance for your local history, property, or genealogical questions/projects -- however, our volunteer Archivists cannot take on an entire research project for you. There is a limit to how much time they can spend on any one request. Our volunteers reserve the right to decline any requests that are not within our focus or demand more time then they can personally give. They offer their knowledge & time as a kindness -- please keep that in mind. To request a consult with an Archivist, please fill out our contact form. We always have a backlog of requests and you must use the contact form to get in the queue. Be sure to check voicemails and emails for our initial response -- we obviously can't help you if we can't reach you. Depending on the current backlog and the nature of your request, a final response can take several weeks/months. We run on volunteers and if you can't wait for the free assistance, please consider hiring a professional genealogist. Image Requests We are happy to work with you to find the images you need. However, to avoid the RMWHS Image Collection being misused, everyone will need to sign and comply with a Photo Usage Agreement (PUA) . This includes RMWHS members, students, teachers, researchers, non profit organizations, businesses, press, etc. A fee based on file resolution and intended use may apply. This applies to: all images -- including RMWHS photos, slides, maps, film, video, etc. -- as well as those already posted on our website. all intended uses -- including but not limited to: personal/private use (such as genealogies), academic research, educational presentations, publication of any kind, use on website, local publicity, non profit use, etc. Failure to properly credit an RMWHS image, posting it on any online forum/social media/genealogy site/etc., and any use or treatment not detailed on the form is a violation of the Photo Usage Agreement. Donations for the volunteers efforts are appreciated and will be used to preserve, expand, digitize, and improve our collection.

While some of our events are open to the public, becoming an RMWHS memeber is the only way to be included on ALL meetings, events, tours, and social gatherings. Don't miss out! Join today! Meetings & Events Go to RMWHS Calendar > The RMWHS is designed to provide a mix of in-person and Zoom-based meetings, events, tours, activities, etc. The date, time, location, and format of the meeting will vary. This less rigid schedule is a departure from our traditional calendar and was designed to allow us more flexibility so we are able to align our activities with community events, venue and speaker availability, museum hours, host organization scheduling, and other opportunities we might otherwise miss. Efforts to live stream in-person events via Zoom and/or record for replay options will be made within reason. Some meetings and events on the schedule will be specifically designed and planned for a Zoom virtual meeting. There are some topics that will better lend themselves to this format like a presentation with photos, videos, or an interactive feature such as surveys, quizzes, or voting. The RMWHS calendar will be updated as needed. Additional notices and updates will be directly mailed and/or emailed to current members. If you wish to get notifications about RMWHS activities, we'd love to have you as a member. Membership fees are modest and the monies raised support our ongoing efforts to preserve and promote local history, art, and culture. For more information about the calendar, membership, or if you'd like to speak or present to the group, please contact us. Masks Optional at Events Masks are CURRENTLY OPTIONAL for all in-person gatherings UNLESS ou r host organization or locatio n requires we wear them. If you are planning to attend an event/meeting in-person, please bring a mask along just in case something changes or you decide you wish you had one. Note: If you wish to wear a mask at ANY gathering -- please do! You will not be alone as some of us always do (including the president) .

Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society provides lists of books about the Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon area (and our neighbors) that may be of interest to our website visitors, local history researchers, and students of history. Supporters and friends of RMWHS RMWHS thanks the local businesses who provide their expertise and services to help us preserve and promote the local history, art, and culture. Their knowledge and support helps our volunteers and benefits the community. J. Davis Printing 7109 Ridge Avenue Philadelphia, PA, 19128 215-483-1006 www.jdavisprinting.com Reel Revival Film Professional/Commercial Film & Home Movie Scanning austin@reelrevivalfilm.com 484-754-6974 www.reelrevivalfilm.com

Contact the Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society via mail or our online form. Want to contact us? Please read details carefully. (What you're looking for may be on this page.) Genealogical Research We will not do your basic genealogical research for you. Before contacting us, please exhaust the genealogical resources available through: Ancestry.com FamilySearch.com FindAGrave.com Laurel Hill & West Laurel Hill Cemeteries Fold3.com Newspapers.com Genealogical Society of PA Historical Society of PA and any others relevant to your family history/tree. Once you've done your homework, if you still need us, fill out contact form below and specify you want RESEARCH. Someone will call you to schedule a virtual appointment. Local History Info Always review the local history provided here below. These free resources are the first place to look when when researching local history. Dig in now! A) Search the RMWHS website . B) Historic District Info (some with images & maps): Ridge Ave Roxborough (rmwhs) Main Street Manayunk (rmwhs) Upper Roxborough Federal Historic District (wikipedia) Victorian Roxborough (RMWHS plans to add to site but this is the 90M PDF from Phila.gov) C) Books: (some free on archive.org or hathitrust.org ) Historical Sketch of Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon by Joseph Miles (1940) Bygones by John Charles Manton Once you've done your homework, if you still need us, fill out contact form below and specify you want RESEARCH. Someone will call you to schedule a virtual appointment. Maps Maps We do not provide maps unless we created them. The maps on our site or in our presentations came from many sources. See the citation/source to determine the institution/library you need to contact for more info/usage rights -- we cannot grant that to you. You can look maps we've used and other map resources here: See our Historic Maps page to find sources See our Other Resources for map sources to explore. Images Images If you want to request an image, you will be required to sign a Photo Usage Agreement. The agreement will spell out: 1) restrictions on how/where use of the image 2) requirements on how/when to cited/credit the image Photos usage fees may apply depending on purpose/use of image. Admin/Legal Details BE PATIENT... We have 1 archivist at this time. There is always a backlog. All research consults are virtual and conducted by phone, Zoom, Teams, or FaceTime. Right to Decline RMWHS and the archivists reserve the right to decline any requests that: would unduly tax our volunteers' time, are beyond the scope of our mission/resources, have a deadline/criteria we cannot meet, could damage or imperil our historic items. Credit, Citation, & Copyright You may share/discuss the results of the research RMWHS provides but all RMWHS and third-party credits, citations, and/or copyright notes must remain intact, including images/maps or multimedia. Financial Donations Financial Donations Donations are very appreciated. Our volunteers work without pay and all monies we receive for our work are used for continued preservation of the Archive and expanding/enhancing our efforts to share our history with the community. CONTACT US Privacy & Use - Your personal information will be protected in accordance with the RMWHS Privacy Policy. However, the research done by our volunteer archivists/genealogists is property of RMWHS and may be shared/discussed with other RMWHS members, visiting students, researchers, etc., at the discretion of RMWHS. RMWHS Privacy Policy. You could lose your spot in the queue if you ask for something we've already provided above. Please review info provided that could pertain to your request. Select all that apply: * Required I am seeking RESEARCH and want to schedule a virtual consult. I am seeking an IMAGE. I have ITEMS TO DONATE. I want to DONATE FUNDS. I want to BECOME A MEMBER. I am an AUTHOR / RESEARCHER / MEMBER OF THE PRESS. Full Name Email Phone Submit Thank you for your interest in RMWHS.

The RMWHS Archive contains: books, photos, slides, negatives, maps, flyers, poster, pamphlets, genealogies, vinyl recordings, deeds, scrapbooks, newspapers, school year books, manuscripts, cemetery records, and much more. Cemetery, Burial, & Church Death Records RMWHS currently has: Andorra Baptist Church ~100 death records that the clergy kept in the last few decades of the 1900s. Any search requires additional wait time. Leverington Cemetery thousands of transcribed burial records tombstone records from a 1980s RMWHS tombstone survey digitized burial books, lot owners records, deeds from 1845-2020s maps (below) Roxborough Baptist Church original burial books for various years map (in Archive) If you would like to request a burial look-up, Always check www.findagrave.com first Contact us and provide the necessary details - name, DOB, DOB, and any info you found in Find A Grave which may prove helpful such as spouse or parents names. We do not want your entire tree -- just the basics. Note: RMWHS is not computerized. All resources must be searched through manually and it can be a slow process. If visiting the area, please contact us several weeks in advance. We are open by appointment only so please keep that in mind when traveling to our area. Appointments and calls with our Archivist can be requested online . RESEARCH TIPS: Always check www.findagrave.com . This information is posted by volunteers and is free to access. This is a good starting point but cemeteries, churches, and historical societies have additional more info. Be sure to try variations of the surname spelling and cast a wide net -- if the name is William Smith, try W Smith as you may otherwise miss Willie or Wm. Also try spelling various on the surname or a *asterisk as a wildcard to get wider results. Keep looking even if you think you have it all. Funeral homes & undertakers logs, coroner reports, doctors notes, there are often more death event documents that could be found if you keep digging and they could hold valuable you're looking for such as next of kin, home addresses, obit placement, memberships, veteran status, and more. Donations for our efforts are appreciated and will be used to preserve, expand, digitize, and improve the Archives. Leverington Cemetery Map

​​The Archive is located within the Roxborough branch of the Philadelphia Free Library at 6245 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128. Street parking only. Admission to the RMWHS Archive is free -- but it is open by appointment only. Please contact us to make an appointment. Archive is Open for Research by Appointment Only The Archive is open at the discretion of the archivists. No food, drink, or pets are permitted All children must be accompanied by adult Visitor Limit - Due to limited space, the Archive can only accommodate 2 visitors at a time. Masks - Our volunteer may ask you to wear a mask in the Archive. It is a small, tight room and there is little personal space. Please understand our volunteers give time, energy, and skills to help the public and a request to mask up keeps them safe and it is a small kindness you can pay them if they ask. Thank you! No Wheelchair Access - While the main Library entrance is wheelchair accessible, the Archive is not. Location & Parking - The RMWHS Archive is inside the Roxborough branch of the Philadelphia Free Library located at 6245 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128. Free street parking is available -- Hermitage Street recommended. Donations for our efforts are appreciated and will be used to digitize, preserve, expand, and improve our collection.

Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society strives to preserve and promote local history, art, and culture ... and we need your help to do it. Share your memories -- tell us about it! Tell Us About It ... Philadelphia Land Usage Map 1942 - Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia Port Royal Riding Stables The 30 images below are only a sample from the collection of nearly 200 photos of the Port Royal Riding Stable (aka Port Royal Farm). The stable was located at 8229 Ridge Ave where the Woodmere Apartments in Roxborough stand today. from 1940 White Pages The majority of the photos were taken in the 1940s-1960s and feature horse trainers, riders, and jumpers, as well as competitions. Other photos show horse teams being trained, a dog that rides horseback, and even some farm frivolity -- or dare we say it -- horsing around. We believe the man shown training the horses may have been owner Harry C. Rose, but we can't be certain. That's why we need your help identifying the people in the photos and/or learning more about the Port Royal Riding Stables you can share. Mail Tell Us About It Click Map to Enlarge Do you have local images (photos, portraits, paintings, film, etc) that you think should be preserved with our local history? If so, we'd love to see them! RMWHS can scan and return original images.

The RMWHS Archive contains: books, photos, slides, negatives, maps, flyers, poster, pamphlets, genealogies, vinyl recordings, deeds, scrapbooks, newspapers, school year books, manuscripts, cemetery records, and much more. Our Collection The RMWHS Archive contains a great many items, including: photos* , slides* , negatives* maps, books* , newspapers art, local bottles, vinyl recordings school year books and class photos genealogies, scrapbooks historic property appraisals* church and cemetery records pamphlets* , flyers* , posters* manuscripts and more Special collections and new additions include Bethany Lutheran Stained Glass Window Images (photos taken before closing include most of windows in church) Andorra/Manatawna Baptist Church records (being processed) Roxborough Baptist Church records + churchyard info (being processed) Trent Mills Document & Image Collection (yet to be processed) Leverington Cemetery Collection (being processed) Antique & Vintage Bottle Collection unearthed during the Flat Rock Dam/Manayunk Canal 2025 Project (being processed) The items preserved at the RMWHS Archive were obtained through donations from members, local residents, churches, historians, authors, and descendants of families with roots that trace back to the earliest days of Roxborough, Manayunk, and Wissahickon. Local businesses, schools, churches, and a great many organizations have also contributed to the treasures the RMWHS Archive holds. Note: The Archive does not have any computers. All resources must be searched through manually. If visiting the area, please contact us as far in advance as possible if you wish to visit or pick up research info or visit the Archive. We also can provide a virtual consultation and sharing of digitized items. Got Donations? Donations for our efforts are appreciated and will be used to preserve, expand, digitize, and improve the Archives.

The RMWHS poster "1304 Steps of Our Town" is available to download as a PDF and as an interactive Google Map for those wishing to personally explore them. The 1304 Steps of Our Town The original "1304 Steps of Our Town" display had been a favorite of visitors to the RMWHS Archive for decades. It showcased photos of more than a dozen staircases that adorn the steep terrain of our area and knit our neighborhoods together. (Read "Step back in time: 1304 Steps to 1880s " to learn more about the steps.) Sadly, the beloved display was not aging gracefully and it needed an overhaul. So in early 2020, as part of the RMWHS Archive digitization project, the old display was dismantled and a new poster was created. In order to share the new poster with as many members, neighbors, and visitors to the area as possible, RMWHS is offering a downloadable/printable version for personal use. But wait -- there's more! Taking things one step further -- pardon the pun -- the same information was used to create an interactive Google Map. This map can be accessed via smartphone to enable users to take a self-guided tour of the 1304 Steps of Our Town. All step trekkers should be mindful some of these steps are steep, old, and could be slippery in certain weather conditions. Also, there are 1304 of them, so don't over do it. Finally, remember to wear a mask and keep a socially-responsible distance from other trekkers. Happy trails! Download the poster (PDF) Take a Hike! Access the interactive map on Google Maps Take a Hike (The map is subject to the limitations of Google's mapping features.)

The information on the RMWHS website is presented for informational and educational purposes only. Use of this website is subject to the provisions of this privacy policy. If you have questions about the site or our policies, contact us. RMWHS Website & Privacy Policy Disclaimers The information on the RMWHS website is presented for informational and educational purposes only. Use of this website is subject to the provisions of this privacy policy. While we cannot guarantee the website will be error-free, we will make every reasonable effort to make content accurate, reliable and complete. This includes correcting any errors that are brought to our attention. If you have questions about the site, our privacy policy, or wish to bring an issue to our attention, contact us . Website Statistics Statistical information is collected as users navigate the site -- this information is analyzed in aggregate and does not contain personally identifiable information. This analysis helps us to improve our site. Collection of Personal Information Your use of the site is anonymous except in the instances where you voluntarily choose to complete the contact us form. The information you provide in the form is used to respond to your inquiries and execute the requests you make. We may also use your information to follow up/verify the receipt of requested information or to inform you of upcoming activities, special events, and other programs and projects. After completion of your request, if you wish to have your contact data deleted from our records, you can contact us. Emails & Subscription Lists C urrently the RMWHS does not provide any subscription service or email blast to the public. Security As with any website, the confidentiality of any communication or material transmitted to/from this website over the Internet cannot be guaranteed. Accordingly, RMWHS is not responsible for the security of any information transmitted via the Internet. You assume the sole and complete risk for using this website and must make your own determination as to these matters. Cookies Cookies are small files that a website or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your web browser to enable the site or service provider to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. We use cookies to help us compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that we can offer better site experiences and tools in the future. Privacy We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personally identifiable information to outside parties. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our society business, addressing your requests or completing other transactions. All third parties whom are involved have also agreed to keep your information confidential. Third-Party Links Our site may contain links to third-party websites. These third-party websites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites. Usage of RMWHS Website Content Social Media & Website Use : Use of ANY of our website content -- including but not limited to text, photos/images & video, charts, maps, and other content --must always cite/include the following immediately below the item used: Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society - RMWHS.ORG and an active link to the page it came from. Publication: Use of ANY of our website content must always cite/include the following immediately below the item used: Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society - RMWHS.ORG and the URL of the page it came from. Merchandise/Printed Materials: Use of ANY of our website content or other RMWHS materials is prohibited. Other: All other use of our website content must be approved by RMWHS prior to use . Contact us. Failure to comply with these requirements will be met with legal action. Revisions to Our Web Policies Please note that the RMWHS may revise its privacy policy at any time. We encourage you to periodically visit this page to review our most current policy. Your continued use of the site shall constitute your acceptance of any such changes to this policy. This policy was last modified January 1, 2026. Tech Issues or Questions - Contact us.

Celebrate Roxborough High School graduate Claude Clark who became a world-renowned artist and spent his life advancing art education and recognition of black artists. In the Spotlight Claude Clark Artist, Poet, Author, and Educator Does the name Claude Clark ring a bell? He's a Roxborough High School graduate that made it big in the art world and whose paintings can be seen in museums from our local Woodmere Art Museum to the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Born in the South, Claude's family moved to Philadelphia in 1923 to escape poverty and the Ku Klux Klan. They settled in Manayunk to be close to relatives that lived in the area and became members of the Josie D. Heard A.M.E. Church. Claude attended Roxborough High School and was the only black graduate in June 1935. While attending Roxborough High School, Claude spent Saturdays attending art classes in Center City. His talent was recognized by the school principal, who recommended him for a scholarship so that he could further his artistic talent. Click newspaper image below to open a larger version. The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 30, 1944 RMWHS Celebrates Black History Claude Clark November 11, 1915 - April 21, 2001 Claude Clark Portrait - Wikipedia "As a child in the churches, the schools and the community, I dreamed of a destiny. My search became a single purpose for the dignity of Black Americans..." - Claude Clark Treasure Trove of Information www.claudeclarkart.com offers an exceptional collection of information on Claude Clark including downloadable PDFs that are a must-see for those wishing to learn about the artist. It is well worth the visit. Claude went on to attend the Philadelphia Museum School of Art and later pursued studies at The Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pennsylvania, where he met and became friends with Albert C. Barnes . While there were relatively few celebrated black artists during the artist's early years, he reached out to renowned painter Horace Pippin , who became a friend until Pippin's passing in 1946. “Freedom Morning” by Claude Clark was painted in 1944 by Claude Clark. It was painted in Philadelphia and commissioned by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his life, Claude mentored black artists and black causes. He became an outstanding art professor and educator, working toward advancing art education and recognition of black artists. Today his work is displayed in museums across the country and abroad as well as in the homes and the rich and famous. "A Dreamer" by Claude Clark at the Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill. The Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society holds a large repository of information about Claude Clark's life, including poems, short stories, family photos, and of course examples of his artwork. Many of these items were donated to the RMWHS by close friends of the artist. Clark never forgot his local roots and his works of art reflect that love. "Resting" by Claude Clark at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of the Harmon Foundation This oil painting on canvas was created in 1944 and is in the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art collection in Washington DC. You are invited to explore the links provided below to discover more about Claude Clark, his life, his talents, and his accomplishments. LEARN If you would like to learn more about Claude Clark, visit the RMWHS Archive . VIEW If you would like to view Claude Clark's artwork in person, plan a visit to the Woodmere Art Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art . Note: Always check with a museum before a visit to verify the works/artists you wish to see are on display and not out on loan or unavailable due to restoration, remodeling, or a visiting exhibit. EXPLORE Want to see more from the comfort of your home? Explore examples of Claude Clark's artwork online right now! www.claudeclarkart.com Woodmere Art Museum Philadelphia Museum of Art Smithsonian Metropolitan Museum of Art RMWHS's In the Spotlight features local artists, inventors, writers, poets, scholars, activists, leaders, thinkers, and other individuals who have had an impact on history. RMWHS has a long list of people we plan to feature, but we'd love to hear from you -- is there someone you'd like us to feature? If so, let us know . RMWHS thanks our special contributor Donna Howley for helping us honor Claude Clark.

Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society provides lists of books about the Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon area (and our neighbors) that may be of interest to our website visitors, local history researchers, and students of history. Books About Our Area Historic Architecture in Philadelphia: East Falls, Manayunk, & Roxborough by Joseph Minardi "This photographic story of three dynamic neighborhoods in Philadelphia's twenty-first ward traces the evolution of each community as defined by its architecture.... Brimming with nearly 500 full color photographs and archival images, and supplemented by selected biographies of the featured architects and firms, this book will charm history buffs, lovers of vintage architecture, and Philadelphia enthusiasts." Victorian Roxborough: An Architectural History by John C. Manton "This potpourri of architectural data is seasoned with a pinch of cultural scenery and a dash of social background to enhance the flavor of Roxborough's Victorian years." Do you have a book to recommend about Roxborough, Manayunk, Wissahickon, or our general area? Let us know. Books by Arcadia A list of books that address the Roxborough, Manayunk and Wissahickon area and our closest neighbors is provided for your convenience. Follow the links to the Arcadia website for a peek inside the books or to purchase. Roxborough Manayunk Along the Wissahickon Creek Philadelphia's Fairmount Park Chestnut Hill Chestnut Hill Revisited Mount Airy Germantown in the Civil War Remembering Germantown Philadelphia's Pencoyd Iron Works Germantown, Mount Airy, & Chestnut Hill Laurel Hill Cemetery Lower Merion & Narberth