Night of Lights
Friday, October 6 – Saturday, October 14, nightly from 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Thank you to all who joined the Conservancy for opening night on
Friday, October 6
Night of Lights is a distinctive evening event that brings thousands to Chestnut Hill to experience Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s innovative public art streetscape exhibition. Night of Lights reflects Chestnut Hill, illuminates the business corridor, and one of America’s iconic main streets, Germantown Avenue.
From Friday, October 6, through Saturday, October 14, educational content and historical images from the Conservancy’s archives were projected through eight storefront windows along the Avenue.
Each evening, the neighboring historic buildings along the Avenue were illuminated with theatrical lights from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Night of Lights is more than an architecture and Archives evening exhibition; it is a celebration of Chestnut Hill’s main street, the vibrant spirit of its residents, and the thriving business community that contributes to its undeniable charm.
Using the commercial corridor as a canvas, Night of Lights is a free community-based event that offers visitors and long-time residents an accessible opportunity to discover the neighborhood’s history while becoming active participants in the stories being told.
Enjoy a few images from this year's event.
The nine-evening run, which spotlighting architecture, archives, and local history along Germantown Avenue between Willow Grove Avenue and Bethlehem Pike, kicked off with a Flip the Switch ceremony starting at 6:45 PM – 7 PM held in the outdoor open space on East Hartwell next to Foliage Plant Boutique (8139 Germantown Avenue) on Friday, October 6.
Following the opening ceremony, kickoff festivities included storytellers at each themed projection window, music from various local acts, including MilkBoy co-founder Tommy Joyner’s Pep Rally, and entertainment from Maplewood Music Studios (including performances by Maplewood Music Studios teachers Rich Rudin, Larry Cohen, John “Jocko” MacNelly, Ralph Salerno, and Bill Davis), an “Ask the Archivists” table, community partners tables in front of Jenks, and more family-friendly interactive activities, all concluding at 9:00 PM. See the full list of opening night musicians by scrolling below.
Click HERE for the event map.
During the October 6 – 14 event, each of the eight illuminated windows will present themed slideshows comprising historical images and educational content, which were projected through storefront windows. Click HERE to learn the history of each projection location.
The themes of this year’s slideshows are:
- “Antique Postcards from the Wissahickon” – From the collections of David Bower and Friends of the Wissahickon
- “George Washington’s March through Flourtown, Chestnut Hill, and Germantown” – October 4, 1777
- “Germantown Avenue” – Chestnut Hills’ beloved, evolving Main Street
- “Inspiration by Design” – The architects who created Chestnut Hill
- “Legacy Spotlight” – Exploring five multi-generational businesses
- “Lots to Offer” – The origins of the Business District parking lots
- “The Olmsted Legacy in Chestnut Hill” – What’s been lost, what survives, what might have been
- “This Green Old House” – Practical guidance for sustainable preservation
The Night of Lights “Pastport” will guide the exhibition and features the event map, building histories, locations of the eight themed slideshows, and more. Thanks to all who turned in their stamped “Pastport” to the Conservancy by Sunday, October 15. Nine winners (one winner for each night) were announced on Monday, October 16. Each raffle bag is filled with gifts from local businesses (worth over $200), including Chestnut Hill Brewing Company, Chestnut Hill Business District, Baker Street Bread Company, El Quetzal, Garden State Tile, Matines Cafe, McNally’s Tavern, Moondance Farm Studios, Occasionette, Quelque Chose Inc., Robertson’s Flowers and Events, Tavern on the Hill, Weaver’s Way Chestnut Hill, Zipf’s Candies, and more!
Participating businesses such as Foliage Plant Boutique, Garden State Tile, Home Works, Moondance Farm Studios, and NoName Gallery offered extended hours during the exhibition for attendees to enjoy.
On Sunday, October 8, the Chestnut Hill Business District hosted their annual Fall for the Arts Festival. From 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Germantown Avenue closed as over 200 vendors line our main street.
New this year, on Tuesday, October 10 a ticketed walking tour was lead by a long time Chestnut Hill resident, architect, and city planner, Richard Barthomew, while the Avenue is less crowded. Click HERE for more information on the Tuesday, October 10 walking tour.
If you are interested in participating or learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact us by emailing programs@chconservancy.org.
Opening Night Storytellers
Join us for an illuminating experience as we unveil eight captivating slideshows illuminating the history and heritage of Chestnut Hill. These mesmerizing displays will be viewed nightly from Friday, October 6, to Saturday, October 14, between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Don’t miss the opening night on Friday, October 6, which features storytellers to enhance your journey through Chestnut Hill’s rich narrative.
📍 “Antique Postcards from the Wissahickon” – Presented by David Bower
- Location: 8202 Germantown Avenue
- Sponsored by: Chubb
- Explore over 40 antique postcard views of the Wissahickon from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with fascinating captions that offer insights into postcard history and the history of the Wissahickon area.
📍 “George Washington’s March through Flourtown, Chestnut Hill, and Germantown” – October 4, 1777 – Presented by Liz and Andrew Jarvis
- Location: The Bone Appetite (8517 Germantown Avenue)
- Sponsored by: The Sivel Group
- Discover the historical significance of George Washington and his troops marching through Chestnut Hill in 1777 during the Revolutionary War. Learn about the buildings and sites that played a pivotal role in this significant event.
📍 “Germantown Avenue” – Chestnut Hill’s beloved, evolving Main Street – Presented by Lori Salganicoff
- Location: Chestnut Hill Welcome Center (8514 Germantown Avenue)
- Sponsored by: Bowman Properties
- Delve into the rich history of Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill’s “Main Street,” which has evolved over the centuries to become a hub for residents and visitors. Discover the street’s transformation from a Native American trail to a modern, diverse urban center.
📍 “Inspiration by Design” – The architects who created Chestnut Hill – Presented by George McNeely
- Location: “Ten Thousand Villages” (8331 Germantown Avenue)
- Sponsored by: Unique Indoor Comfort
- Explore the architectural legacy of Chestnut Hill and its contribution to Philadelphia’s architectural heritage. Learn about renowned architects who designed significant buildings in the area, some of whom also chose to live in houses of their own design.
📍 “Legacy Spotlight” – Exploring five multi-generational businesses – Presented by Chrissy Clawson and Liz Jarvis
- Location: Chestnut Hill Welcome Center (8514 Germantown Avenue)
- Sponsored by: Electric Wizardry, Inc.
- Celebrate the enduring success of five multi-generational businesses that have been serving Chestnut Hill for decades. These businesses, including a fuel provider, hardware store, flower shop, tavern, and shoe repair, are a testament to the community’s resilience and family values.
📍 “Lots to Offer” – The origins of the Business District parking lots – Presented by Alex Bartlett
- Location: Moondance Farm Studios (8238 Germantown Avenue)
- Sponsored by: Chestnut Hill Hotel
- Discover the history of the parking lots in Chestnut Hill’s Business District, their creation, and their vital role in revitalizing the area after World War II. Learn about their transformation from backyard spaces to critical resources for the community.
📍 “The Olmsted Legacy in Chestnut Hill” – What’s been lost, what survives, what might have been – Presented by Robert Fleming
- Location: Roller’s Express-O (8341 Germantown Avenue)
- Sponsored by: MIS Capital
- Explore the enduring legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and the Olmsted Brothers in Chestnut Hill. Learn about their contributions to landscape architecture, parks, and private gardens in the area and gain insights into what has been preserved and what has been lost.
📍 “This Green Old House” – Practical guidance for sustainable preservation – Presented by Lori Salganicoff
- Location: Kilian Hardware (8450 Germantown Avenue)
- Sponsored by: George Woodward Co.
- Discover practical guidance for sustainable preservation as this slideshow explores energy-efficient retrofits in older buildings. Learn how to improve energy impact and building efficiency while preserving architectural character, contributing to efforts to combat climate change.
Opening Night Musicians
Get ready for a spectacular opening night of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Night of Lights on Friday, October 6, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. We have a fantastic lineup of musical acts that will light up the evening while you take in the colorfully lit architecture, local historical archives, and eight themed slideshows on Germantown Avenue (between Bethlehem Pike and Willow Grove Avenue).
🎶 Maplewood Music Studio Teachers – Music maestros will bring three incredible performances. Get ready for the Bill Davis Duet (piano, flute, and sax near Stagecrafters Theater), Ralph Salerno (accordion near Wells Fargo Bank), and the Rich Rudin Trio. The trio (Rich Rudin, Larry Cohen, and John “Jocko” MacNelly) will will focus on jazz (original music & standards), at The Spice Rack.
🎶 Mary Roth – A singer-songwriter, radio host, and educator, Mary Roth’s performance with her Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer will span a broad spectrum of music near the MARKET at the Fareway.
🎶 Matteo Bofinger – A talented freshman from St. Joseph’s Prep and student at Maplewood Music Studio, Matteo can rock the guitar, piano, flute, and saxophone near the Verizon Building.
🎶 Pep Rally – Philly’s Pep Rally is an art rock marching band mash-up that’s all about making you dance and smile. Don’t miss their infectious energy at Buckley Park.
🎶 Red X – They’ll be rocking the Venetian Club with incredible tunes starting at 8:00 PM.
🎶 Sweet By and By – Bringing you American songbook standards, jazz, bossa nova, and ballads near Char and Stave.
🎶 The Crefeld School – A small student musician group and the Glee Club will serenade you with a mix of covers and originals, spanning various genres from classic rock to musical theater hits! Don’t miss this special performance at the Chestnut Hill Newsstand.
Night of Lights in the News!
Take a look back at past Night of Lights
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