Title
Recognizing and Honoring the Chestnut Hill Historical Society on the Occasion of its 50th Anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, The Chestnut Hill Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical, architectural, and cultural resources and the open spaces that define the character of Chestnut Hill and its environs; and
WHEREAS, The Chestnut Hill Historical Society was incorporated in February 1967 after the Committee for the Preservation of Historic Buildings in Chestnut Hill was organized in the prior year in response to proposed drastic alterations to the neglected VFW Building on Germantown Avenue. Shirley Hanson was the Historical Society's founding director. The goal of the Historical Society was to preserve Chestnut Hill's distinctive characteristics so as to retain its essence and ensure its future vitality; and
WHEREAS, The Historical Society has proactively sought to preserve and protect Chestnut Hill's historic architecture. In 1985, the National Park Service recognized Chestnut Hill as a National Historic District and added it to the prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Such distinction and recognition of Chestnut Hill's historical significance and architectural heritage may not have been possible had the Historical Society not first conducted research and produced a detailed inventory of virtually every building in Chestnut Hill. Today, 2,700 buildings are recognized as part of one of the nation's largest National Historic Districts; and
WHEREAS, In partnership with the Friends of the Wissahickon, the Chestnut Hill Historical Society sponsors an Easement Program which was founded in 1990. The program allows owners of historic structures to donate façade easements to preserve and protect them from inappropriate alterations or additions. Property owners can also donate potential development rights to the Historical Society as a means of preventing future development or subdivision. Today, the program manages more than 3...
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