Speakers Bureau

The Wissahickon Valley—its ecology, history, and recreational choices—is fascinating. For many years, the Friends of the Wissahickon have held free public lectures on these subjects at libraries and other local venues. Now we are now offering these lectures directly to you at your organization or retirement residence at no charge (although a donation to FOW would be appreciated). To schedule a speaker, contact Audrey Simpson at the FOW office at 215-247-0417 or office@fow.org.

Postcards from the Wissahickon

David Bower, Volunteer Coordinator for Fairmount Park, possesses a knowledge and love of the Wissahickon that is indefatigable. Bower offers a Power Point presentation using his extensive Wissahickon postcard collection. Experience rare views and voices from the past, authentic postmarks, beautiful scenery, history of various structures, and postcard bloopers. This talk is informative and fun.

A Poem Which Has Long Endured: The Walnut Lane Bridge at 100

When built, the Walnut Lane Bridge was not just a way across, but a way forward.This engineering marvel, now 100 years old and linking Roxborough and Germantown across the Wissahickon Creek, was the largest concrete arch bridge in the world at the time of its construction.  David Young, Executive Director of Cliveden of the National Trust, discusses this structure, long an inspiration for artists, photographers, and writers. His visual presentation places the history of the Walnut Lane Bridge in the context of the comprehensive park planning, municipal reform, and the debate in the engineering and architecture communities about the role of art in massive construction projects.Young also explores the meaning of the bridge today, including the tragedies which have been associated with it and the efforts to maintain and preserve one of Philadelphia’s greatest 20th century achievements. 

Protecting Land with Conservation Easements

Debra Wolf Goldstein, former director of FOW’s Protect Our Watershed program,  presents this lecture on conservation easements. Her presentation will help landowners learn more about easements, a voluntary legal tool to preserve the open space or historic character of their properties, while providing significant financial benefits through the reduction of federal income, estate, gift, and property taxes. Goldstein is a member of Philadelphia’s newly-created Commission on Parks and Recreation and is the president of Conservation Matters, LLC, a legal and consulting firm with a focus on land conservation issues. She is also a member of the Fairmount Park Conservancy board.

Birds of the Wissahickon

When is the best time to watch birds in the Wissahickon? Winter and summer are good, fall is great, and spring is outstanding. Steve Lawrence, FOW Board Member and Co-Chair of Wildlife Committee, will share the best locations in the Wissahickon for bird watching and discuss the species one is most likely to spot during any given season. A question and answer period follows.

Art Inspired by the Wissahickon

As early as the 1820's, the Wissahickon became a popular subject for painters and printmakers. The park continues to draw artists working in every medium, including photography and pottery. Dena Sher, founder of the Whitemarsh Art Center and an FOW Board Member, presents a slide-illustrated talk that includes the history of the Wissahickon Valley as background to the art it inspires.

A History of Horses

in the Wissahickon

FOW member Barbara Sherf offers this forty minute slide presentation which delves into the eqestrian history of the Wissahickon Valley from the early 1900s to the present and includes archival images of the Wissahickon Day Horse Parade through the years. Barbara Sherf is a communications professional who enjoys horseback riding as a member of the Philadelphia Saddle Club out of Monastery Stable.

The Wissahickon: Then and Now

Sarah West, author of Rediscovering the Wissahickon, offers four “Then and Now” PowerPoint programs of historic photos and compared with current views of the same location. Choose from the following:

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• The 200 Year Industrial Era describes historic mills, mines, and quarries between the mouth of the creek and Northwestern Avenue in the Wissahickon.   Photographs show the sites at the height of the industrial period as well as current views of the same locations.

• Wissahickon Homesteads offers historic views and information about the homesteads that once were found in the Wissahickon alley. Theses homes range from elegant to simple. Most were associated with the mill communities along the creek.  

• Wissahickon Roads, Paths, and Bridges explores Lincoln Drive, the Monoshone Creek, and Forbidden Drive. This program includes pictures of the five covered bridges and the old pipe bridge that carries water from reservoirs in Roxborough across the Wissahickon Valley to Mt. Airy.

• Wissahickon Road House Era (1840-1916) offers historic views and information about the seven road houses that existed at different times in this period along with views of the same locations as seen today.

Stewardship Challenges

in the Wissahickon

This PowerPoint program, presented by Sarah West, takes a trip along the Wissahickon Creek from its origin near Montgomeryville Mall to its outlet at the Schuylkill River. In addition to an overview of the watershed, Ms. West discusses flooding and flood damage, water runoff, pollution and sedimentation, invasive plants, deer overpopulation, loss of biodiversity, and repairs and restoration.  

The Story in Wissahickon Rocks

Sarah West offers another Powerpoint program that discusses the formation of schist, quartzite, gneiss, pegmatite, and other Wissahickon rocks using important geological concepts—the rock cycle, weathering, and plate tectonics. Photos show the major field-trip sites where geological processes can be observed.