Our Delaware Valley Podcast

From Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania CEO Tim Kerrihard and Chief Development & Marketing Officer Kristine DelMonte spoke on the 90 year old chapter and its mission, supporting children with physical, intellectual and mental disabilities and their families. Working with children from birth through six or kindergarten, they provide early childhood education,

autism services,assistive technology for speech, pediatric speech and language therapy, pediatric occupational and physical therapy and even music therapy. They work in the child’s home or through facilities located throughout the Delaware Valley. They stress the importance of their work and early intervention, noting that children who receive services quickly are less likely to require additional support services in Kindergarten. For more information on programming, volunteering or events go to sepa.easterseals.com

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Zabeth Teelucksingh discussed Global Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Philadelphia as an influential World Heritage City and as a vital, diverse center for global affairs and fostering international economic and cultural growth. We discussed Africatown and Chinatown as examples of flouring international communities within the city, the upcoming World Cup and its impact on tourism and foreign business development, the new map of Philadelphia’s remarkable 65 National Landmarks and the completion of Global Philadelphia’s contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainability project, a mural at Glen Foerd to celebrate water.  Learn more at globalphiladelphia.org

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David Thomas, President and CEO of PHDC discussed the city’s work in preserving neighborhoods and making them safer and affordable for residents. We spoke about Philadelphia’s aging population, poverty rate and our aging housing stock and the mayor’s plans to address them including the newest program for Philadelphia residents, Restore Repair Renew which offers 10-year fixed 3% APR loans for home repairs, focusing on health, safety, weatherization, accessibility and quality of life. He discussed adaptive measures available for residents with aging-in-place issues or those with physical disabilities, fire safety programs and their façade repairs. He also described the extra support they offer in the application process, with financial literacy help, fraud prevention and inspections. For more information about the City of Philadelphia’s housing programs go to www.phdcphila.org 

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Matt Radar, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society discussed the work PHS does throughout the year thanks to the funds raised by the annual Philadelphia Flower Show.

He spoke of its mission, using horticulture to increase access to fresh food, create healthy living environments, deep social connections, and generate economic opportunities. Its Vacant Lot Greening Program PHS LandCare program has been extended into Chester in partnership with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods, transforming almost two-football fields of lots to make the community safer, greener and cooler. He cites the economic impact of PHS, not just in money generated for the hospitality industry through the Flower Show or the increase in value of homes in green neighborhoods, but also in the employment programs they offer in landscaping. We talked about heritage programs such as Tree Tenders who plant and care for our tree canopy and the gardens PHS maintains. He recommends membership in PHS for the gardening magazine, garden tours and visits, workshops and lectures and one-on-one help with gardening questions. Members also have special discounts and ticket opportunities for the Flower Show.

Finally, he invites everyone to drop by a PHS summer Pop-Up for plant swaps, music, food and cocktails. 

To learn more about membership, Pop Up locations, volunteering or neighborhood greening programs go to PHSonline.org. 

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From the Museum of the American Revolution Director of Education and Community Engagement Adrienne Whaley discussed the events planned for ‘Flag Day,’ the Historic District’s ‘Red, White & Blue To Do’ on July 2 and ‘Declaration Days’ their Semiquincentennial celebration Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5. 

A full schedule of talks, walking tour, all-age activities and even musical entertainment will take place throughout the museum’s galleries – including The Declaration's Journey in the Patriots Gallery, and on its grounds over the extended holiday.  

The Museum is also kicking off extended summer hours, now opening from 9AM to 6PM Tickets are always good for two day admission. 

Get the full schedule of events, hours, workshop and talks at Amrevmuseum.org

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Jennifer Davis President & CEO of Make A Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley talked about their chapter and its work as they celebrate its 40th year. Jennifer explained their life-changing work that grants children not a ‘last’ wish,’ but a ‘forever’ wish that can inspire and give them strength as they fight critical illness. She points out that 80% of their kids go on to recovery and that research shows a wish can give kids the strength to fight against and even overcome a critical illness. She described their process, from referrals and verifications, to meeting with the child and family to discuss what a wish might look like. She notes many wishes are not for trips but for things for their family – such as a backyard redo - or a way to give back to their caregivers and other kids with their illness. 

Make A Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley is always looking for volunteers, including construction help, as well as in kind donations and airline miles from Delta and United to help offset the cost of the more than 200+ travel wishes granted annually. To celebrate the 40th anniversary the chapter will host a party at the Please Touch Museum on November 19th.

For tickets to the event or for more information on donating or volunteering visit https://wish.org/philadesv/our-chapter

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Meredith Sellers, Interpretation and Access Manager at the Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Caroline Winschel, Director of Development & Communications at Bartram's Garden and Mackenzie Warren, Education and Programs Manager for PhilaLandmarks, representing Grumblethorpe and Powel House, discussed the Colonial Garden Consortium, bringing attention to Philadelphia’s amazing botanic history in time for the Semiquincentennial. Partners in this initiative include Bartram’s Garden, Fort Mifflin, Grumblethorpe, Pennsylvania Hospital, Powel House, The Woodlands, Wyck Historic House and The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, where the exhibit ‘Revolutionary Botany’ examines the origins of the American pharmacy and American botanical medicine and celebrates Philadelphia’s role as “the birthplace of America” and the College as “the birthplace of American medicine.” The properties offer a look at the plants of our founding fathers and mothers used and cultivated for food, medicine and finally, beauty. and allows us to gain an understanding of the deep interconnections in how European settlers gained this knowledge from Native Americans and shared it, amongst themselves and as well as abroad., 

The Consortium has teamed up to create a StoryMap, a digital resource for the public. It displays a map of the partner sites and details their histories in relation to that era of the city. The StoryMap highlights several networks that made significant contributions to the practice and understanding of horticulture, including Native Americans, African Americans, Quakers, physicians, and families, and spotlights notable plants. 

The StoryMap also offers a calendar of programming from the participating sites, including a ‘Meet & Geek’ on Wednesday, June 10th at the Mutter Museum. 

To access the StoryMap visit MutterMuseum.org and click on “On View.”

Learn more about the Colonial Garden Consortium during our Mütter Meet and Geek. Several partners will be there to share fascinating objects from the sites, and discuss the many ways plants were used in Early America. Sign up by visiting visit MutterMuseum.org and clicking on events.

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Amy Needle, President and CEO of Historic Philadelphia discussed the activities planned for the long 4th of July celebration in Old City Philadelphia. She described this year’s Red, White & Blue To Do on July 2nd, the date John Adams believed would be the nation’s anniversary. This year’s celebration will be bigger than ever with a flag raising at the Betsy Ross House, live acoustic music performances throughout the area, a human flag of 250 volunteers at 7AM, costumed enactors and Once Upon a Nation storytellers and the annual ‘Pomp & Parade’ kids’ parade of wagons leading to the Welcome America Block Party. It will end with ‘Red, White & Rose’ cocktails on the mall and a free concert featuring the US Army Field Band and Queen Latifa. Also discussed, the 4th of July Patriotic Pet Party at the Betsy Ross House and the annual Chinese Lantern Festival on Franklin Square. We also talked about the nation’s ‘Most Historic Square Mile’ and the Betsy Ross House, the residence supported Betsy and her family and her business. We talked about women’s roles in the revolutionary period and the work they did and the summer program ‘Meet the Women of the 18th Century’ each weekend.  

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Delaware Division Of Historical And Cultural Affairs (HCA) Director Suzanne Savery discussed their mission to protect and preserve historic and cultural sites and to educate the public on the 'First' state’s long history. 

She described the sites maintained by HCA including the John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House Museum, the Old State House and the site of Delaware’s only Revolutionary War land battle Cooch’s Bridge, which will open to the public in 2027. 

We discussed the events and activities planned around the 250 celebration beginning in May and continuing through Separation Day, the day Delaware declared its independence from the British and Pennsylvania, the 4th of July and the grand reopening of the John Dickinson Plantation Visitor Center. 

To learn more and to subscribe to their monthly newsletter go to history.delaware.gov

From the HCA Calendar 

In tandem with the Separation Day Parade on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the New Castle Court House Museum (NCCH) will offer tours and historic activities on the Green. NCCH commemorates Separation Day and the nation’s 250th Anniversary, on June 15th - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with civics, historic and educational activities. At 7pm the museum hosts a special Declaration of Independence program. 

4th of July & 250th Anniversary Programming

4th of July events at the Old State House, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. include self-guided tours and historic interpreters who regale visitors with tales of the First State’s Revolutionary past. A historic site interpreter will teach traditional quill pen writing, while Declaration of Independence readings at 2p.m. and 4p.m. round out the festivities. 

Other Events

The Old State House presents Who Was King George III? on Saturday June 27th 1 pm -- Known as the mad king, George III was a husband and father, a patron of the arts and sciences, and a popular king among many of his subjects. Old State House Site Supervisor Gavin Malone explores all in this lecture-style presentation.

New Castle Court House Museum presents the Dog Days of Summer series, where dogs are welcome to join for outdoor movies on the Green. Historically inspired films include Hamilton on June 19, 1776 on July 3rd, and National Treasure on August 28th.  

July 21st -July 24th - New Castle History Camp - Travel through history this summer at the FREE New Castle History Summer Camp, focused on the history of government with comparisons of the administration during the American Revolution and government today. Students develop skills as a historian by researching and designing a creative group project that will be presented to friends and family at the New Castle Public Library. 

July 24th - Reading of Declaration of Independence - 6pm - A small reenactment and talk about civil disobedience and the Revolution.

The Zwaanendael Museum presents its Loyalist on the Lawn series, (Daily at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on July 1 & 18, August 8 & 22, September 5 & 19, October 3) with a costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment during the Revolutionary War. 

The museum also presents its ongoing Revolutionary War Illustration Series. 

John Dickinson Plantation Visitor Center -- August

The Visitor Center at the John Dickinson Plantation in Dover, Delaware, is slated to open in late July/August. The 14,000 square foot space will debut its permanent exhibit, One Land, Many Voices, later in the fall. The expanded exhibition, educational and meeting space will bring the legacy of the Dickinson Plantation and the many inhabitants of the area to life. 

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Dan Tadmor, CEO of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, spoke about the museum, established in 1976 as the nation’s only museum dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience and its mission of preserving, exploring and celebrating their history.

We talked about the museum’s approaches to displaying the Jewish experience in the Americas, from their first arrival in 1654 through today, the wide diaspora of people from different countries and times, linked by being Jews. 

Dan discussed the museum’s plans for 2026, a re-imaging of the space and the mission. The initiatives begin with the exhibition The First Salute, the story behind Jewish occupied Saint Eustatius in the Caribbean that helped supply the revolution against British embargoes. This island was the first to salute – and recognize - an independent America ship. Opening July 4 will be a new permanent gallery, the Colors of Creation, an interactive family forward area that uses color to explore the biblical creation story. Finally, the museum will open a new gallery that will address Contemporary Antisemitism in America, an issue believed unnecessary at the museum’s opening, told through testimonies from Jewish Americans on the “everyday” antisemitism they have personally encountered. 

We ended with the learning opportunities the Weitzman offers to children and adults, online and in-person, from lectures and workshops to educational materials for classrooms K - 12.    

The Weitzman is open Wednesday through Sunday, it is free with special exhibits ticketed. For more information about the museum, membership, online content and the gift shop, go to TheWeitzman.org. 

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