Glen Foerd, an 18-acre park and historic city-owned property in northeastern Philadelphia, is undertaking a major preservation project. The property features a 30,000-square-foot building originally constructed in the early 1850s and remodeled in the early 1900s. Current renovation efforts will focus on structural repairs, such as fixing porch pillars, restoring windows and doors, and reinforcing the roof. A cupola, lost decades ago, will also be reconstructed.
Located in Torresdale, Glen Foerd is the only Philadelphia property along the Delaware River that remains open to the public. It was saved from redevelopment into condominiums in the 1980s by neighbors who formed the non-profit Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation. The property is listed in the National and Philadelphia Registers of Historic Places.
Executive Director Ross Mitchell noted that while aesthetic work has been done since the early 1900s, significant structural repairs are long overdue. Exterior renovations are seen as a crucial first step to attract funding for necessary internal updates, including plumbing and heating.
Glen Foerd draws around 35,000 visitors annually, offering activities like bird watching and weddings. The external restoration is largely funded by private donations, with Glen Foerd seeking an additional $1.5 million in state funding. Recent improvements include the restoration of a century-old pipe organ, financed by a $425,000 grant.
The mansion serves as an art gallery showcasing works by various artists and is open to the public for free on weekends. Mitchell emphasized the success of preserving Glen Foerd, which has transitioned from potential development to a valued community resource.
Source link
