Historic artifacts displayed in Chester
CHESTER >> About two dozen city residents and friends gathered Wednesday on the 500 block of Avenue of the States for a community archival workshop and tour exploring newly unearthed artifacts dating back decades.
The objects, which include a large black-box camera and photographs found in a building now occupied by artist Devon Walls and “Chester Made,” are believed to have once belonged to the popular Lewis Photographic Studio located in that very block.
Lewis Studio was once the premiere photography business for engagement, wedding and baby pictures for Chester residents.
In addition, barber chairs from a barber shop of days gone by, as well as a postal box and medicine cabinet from the long-ago shuttered Chester Arms Hotel, were uncovered during renovation of the area.
“Today’s tour crossed color boundaries and connected communities,” said Chester activist/ historian Twyla Simpkins. “I feel fortunate to have participated in this process and learned a lot.”
The Pennsylvania Humanities Council teamed up with the city of Chester, Widener University and the Artists Warehouse to host “Biography of a Block,” in the hope of encouraging the people of Chester and beyond to investigate the rich history of the city.
“Our hope is to rejuvenate interest about the beauty and value of the city of Chester,” said humanities council Director Laurie Zierer. “This is truly a reconsideration of the jewels all around us.”
Zierer said the project arose from the cultural asset mapping that was done in the city a few years ago. While gathering stories of Chester, much was learned about the rich history and events that made the city so unique and special.
“The creation of the Chester Cultural Corridor is a way to use the arts and culture as an economic driver,” Zierer said. “We would like to see the youth of the city become more involved and to learn about and celebrate Chester’s past.”
The “Chester Made” movement received a $45,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and $256,000 grant from the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage to pursue the cultural corridor, which now includes an art gallery, workshop, and theater located in the 500 block of Avenue of the States.
“In rehabilitating and renovating the buildings, we found so many interesting and historically significant items,” Walls said. “These things needed to be shared with others.”
Following the tour and workshop which was held at the Delaware County Historical Society, participants gathered for lunch in a nearby historical building.
Imam Haneef Mahdi took the tour and was impressed with what he saw.
“I was in a similar tour while visiting Ireland and I can tell you, the job you did ranks right up there,” Mahdi said. “The tour was amazing. Preservation of the old is very important and my hat is off to all involved.”
A community conversation and workshop on the subject of “tactical urbanism” will take place 1-5 p.m. Saturday at 511 Avenue of the States. The guest speaker is Mike Lydon, principal of the Street Plans Collaborative and co-author of “Tactical Urbanism: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Change.”
Lydon will lead a discussion about tactical urbanism and how it will benefit Chester. Residents will be provided the opportunity to think about projects that could take place in areas needing improvement such as parks, crosswalks, and bus stops, etc.
Lydon will return on May 13 at a yet-to-be-determined time to take action and work with community members to implement a tactical urbanism project in the city.
Please register at pahumanities. org/tacticalurbanism.