Jack McCarthy resigns from Historical Society of Frankford

PlanPhilly staff

March 25, 2010

(Many people, including various neighborhood organization leaders, came out to the Center for Northeast Philadelphia History meeting.)

Jack McCarthy, archivist for the Historical Society of Frankford, announced at last night’s meeting of the Center for Northeast Philadelphia History that he’ll resign from his post with the Frankford-based organization, effective in one month.

This announcement, which was the first order of business at the meeting, prompted Fred Moore (a local historian who also serves as the Holmesburg Civic Association president) to propose the Center for Northeast Philadelphia History “divest ourselves from the Historical Society of Frankford.”

Local History

The owner of an old farmhouse in Holme Circle requested the help of the organization in determining the future of his home.

Samuel “Buzz” Stokes grew up at and still lives at 2880 Welsh Rd., which sits on a 1.1-acre lot across from Winchester Swim Club.

Now the sole occupant of the home, Stokes doesn’t want to see the 200-year-old structure be torn down to make way for apartment, though he knows the building is too old for a homeowner to maintain.

He’ll look into alternative options to preserve the house’s history.

With this proposal comes the idea that the group should formalize itself, as it currently has no board or advisory counsel. The 3-year-old organization will pursue independence, with no one neighborhood taking precedence. Moore assured those in the packed meeting room of the Torresdale Branch Library that the Historical Society of Frankford “did not provide us with any hard money.”

The next meeting of what will now be called the Northeast Philadelphia History Center Consortium will be May 19 at Fox Chase Farm. A representative from the farm encourages anyone who is interested to arrive a half hour early at 6 p.m. for a tour.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.