“Northwest Philadelphia: Connected by Railways” lecture with Ted XarasDate: Tuesday, March 12, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Admission: Conservancy Member Admission $15.00, and Non-Member Admission $25.00.

All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Save the Train campaign (savethetrain.org).

This virtual lecture, supporting the Save the Train campaign, features renowned artist and railroad historian Ted Xaras and will focus on the architectural history and legacy of the Chestnut Hill East and West rail lines. The lecture will explore the history, architecture, and impact of the rail lines in the Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, and Germantown neighborhoods.

Bob Previdi of Chestnut Hill, with expertise in transit, transport policy, community outreach, and organizing, will provide brief insights at the beginning of the program into the Save the Train organization and the significance of revitalizing train ridership in the community.

Ted Xaras will lead the lecture, drawing on his passion for locomotives. Ted’s fascination with art and locomotives was sparked by his father, who worked at the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone during Ted’s formative years. Encouraged by his parents, Ted pursued his artistic talents and graduated from Upper Darby Senior High School in 1963 before attending the Philadelphia College of Art (PCA), where he majored in Illustration and graduated in 1967.

Following a brief stint as an illustrator in New York, Ted was drafted into the Army in February 1968 and served two years in Germany. During his service, he married Judy, who shares his passion for art.

After completing his military service, Ted earned his Master’s in Fine Art at Tyler School of Art from 1970 to 1972. He then embarked on a distinguished career in education, teaching at PCA’s Continuing Education program and later serving as a full-time faculty member at Ursinus College from 1973 to 2007, where he chaired the Art Department.

In 2008, Ted transitioned to teaching at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) Continuing Education program, specializing in portrait painting until his retirement in 2023. Throughout his teaching career, Ted continued to pursue his artistic endeavors, producing commissioned portraits and paintings of railroad subjects.

Following Ted’s presentation will be a Q&A. If you would like to submit any questions in advance, please email Conservancy Programs and Communications Manager Chrissy Clawson at chrissy@chconservancy.org.

In addition to our generous sponsors and supportive businesses, the Discovering Chestnut Hill Tour and Lecture Series is sponsored by John B. Ward & Co. Arborists.

Admission: Conservancy Member Admission $15.00, and Non-Member Admission $25.00
All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Save the Train campaign (savethetrain.org).

Registrants will receive Zoom access information approximately one day from the date of the event.

Click HERE to register.