Discovering Chestnut Hill

Discovering Chestnut Hill is one of the Conservancy’s signature public program series. Through guided tours and lectures, it spotlights the area’s rich architecture, history, and natural beauty. Conservancy Members benefit from discounted tickets and exclusive access to special events, fostering deeper connections with our community’s heritage.

Become a Conservancy Member today to enjoy discounts on programs like this and help preserve the stories and spaces that define our community.

Become a member today

Discovering Chestnut Hill: “Buildings and Beyond – Wayne Junction’s Revitalization”

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM (Walking Tour)
Location: Philly Office Retail Headquarters, 4701 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Guides: Ken Weinstein and Kim Chantry
Cost: Conservancy Members – $15, Non-Members – $25
Registration: Advance registration is required. Click HERE to register today.

Join us on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM for “Buildings and Beyond – Wayne Junction’s Revitalization,” a guided walking tour showcasing the remarkable transformation of more than a dozen examples of adaptive reuse that are contributing to the revitalization of this historically significant district in Northwest Philadelphia.

About the Tour:
The tour will start at Philly Office Retail Headquarters, where Kim Chantry and Ken Weinstein will provide a dual-perspective introduction to the area’s history and future development. The tour will occur rain or shine, with an indoor adapted lecture if inclement weather arises. Due to limited availability, early registration is recommended.

Throughout the tour, participants will learn about the tools and strategies driving Wayne Junction’s revival, including the use of Historic Tax Credits, Opportunity Zones, and innovative development techniques.

Tour Highlights:
• Insight into the history of the Wayne Junction Historic District and its role in Philadelphia’s industrial past.
• Exploration of Jumpstart Germantown’s community-focused redevelopment initiatives.
• A look at the $56M+ investment in revitalizing 13 buildings and two lots, which have transformed Wayne Junction into a vibrant hub.
• How adaptive reuse has overcome challenges of modern building codes and environmental sustainability.
• The collaborative efforts of private developers, government agencies, and community groups to ensure a sustainable future for the district.

The Guides:

Ken Weinstein
President of Philly Office Retail and Founder of Jumpstart Germantown and Jumpstart Philly, Ken Weinstein, has been a transformative force in Philadelphia’s urban redevelopment landscape. Over the past three decades, he has revitalized more than 300 vacant properties across the city, with a focus on adaptive reuse and sustainable development that preserves neighborhood character while fostering vibrant communities.

Weinstein’s leadership in the Wayne Junction redevelopment has led to the restoration of 13 historic buildings, repurposed into dynamic spaces for apartments, restaurants, offices, and light manufacturing. His work serves as a model for sustainable urban development that balances growth with historical preservation.

Kim Chantry
As a Historic Preservation Planner with the Philadelphia Historical Commission, Kim Chantry has played a pivotal role in protecting and adapting Philadelphia’s historic buildings for modern use. She holds a Master’s degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and has spent over a decade guiding efforts to safeguard the city’s architectural heritage.

Chantry authored both the National Register and Philadelphia Register of Historic Places nominations for Wayne Junction, a crucial step in securing the area’s recognition and facilitating its sensitive redevelopment. Her expertise provides a vital historical framework for understanding how past and present converge in Wayne Junction’s ongoing transformation.

The Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s public programming is made possible through the generous support of our Lead Sponsor, Chubb, General Sponsors, Event Sponsors, and members. John B. Ward proudly serves as the 2025 Discovering Chestnut Hill Event Sponsor, while E.G. Rall Landscape Design is our 2025 Supporting Event Sponsor.

Register HERE

“Private Gardens of Philadelphia – Lost and Found” lecture with Nicole Juday

Date: Wednesday, April 9, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Location: Hybrid (Limited in-person seating in Chestnut Hill, virtual attendance available)
Registration Link: Click HERE for virtual registration
Registration Fee: $15 for Conservancy Members, $25 for Non-Members

Join us for the first installment of our 2025 Discovering Chestnut Hill series, Private Gardens of Philadelphia: Lost and Found, featuring author and garden historian Nicole Juday.

This hybrid event will take place on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, offering both limited in-person seating and virtual attendance. The in-person program will run from 6:30 to 9:00 PM, while the lecture will begin at 7:00 PM for all attendees, followed by a moderated Q&A led by Conservancy Board Member and landscape architect Rob Fleming. The Q&A will begin around 8:00 PM.

The Philadelphia region is home to more historic private gardens than any other part of the United States. In this engaging talk, Nicole Juday will explore remarkable gardens featured in her recent book, Private Gardens of Philadelphia, highlighting those that have survived against the odds and what they reveal about Philadelphia’s rich social and cultural history. These gardens—hidden behind tall hedges, nestled in bustling neighborhoods, or tucked away down quiet lanes—reflect generations of stewardship, dedication, resilience, and horticultural artistry.

The event will feature breathtaking photography by Rob Cardillo, showcasing the beauty and diversity of these private landscapes, from meticulously maintained estates to gardens that have adapted to environmental and urban challenges such as development pressures, flooding, and deer.

About the Speaker:

Nicole Juday’s career has encompassed her garden design business, working as a Landscape Curator at Wyck Historic Garden and running the renowned Arboretum School at the Barnes Foundation. She then served as Director of Audience Engagement at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. She has published numerous articles, winning a silver medal for her writing by the Garden Writers Association. She serves as board chair for the IDEAL Industries Foundation.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Lecture begins around 7:00 PM, Q&A begins around 8:00 PM)
Format: Hybrid (Limited in-person seating, virtual attendance available)
Location: In-Person Philadelphia, PA 19118, or Virtual, via Zoom
Q&A Moderator: Rob Fleming, Landscape Architect and Chestnut Hill Conservancy Board Member

Registration:
Advance registration is required. In-person attendance is limited and expected to fill quickly. Virtual registrants will receive a link to join the event remotely.

Space is limited for the in-person attendees; sign up today!

The Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s public programming is made possible through the generous support of our Lead Sponsor, Chubb, General Sponsors, Event Sponsors, and members. John B. Ward proudly serves as the 2025 Discovering Chestnut Hill Event Sponsor, while E.G. Rall Landscape Design is our 2025 Supporting Event Sponsor.

For more information, please get in touch with Chrissy Clawson at Chrissy@CHConservancy.Org or 215-247-9329 x 108.

Register HERE (virtual only)