Saturday, May 3, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
8708 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Free, but registration is required, and space is limited for this in-person program.
Register HERE
Join the Chestnut Hill Conservancy for Ask the Experts: The Art and Craft of Ornamental Ironwork with Robert Anderson, owner and partner of Anderson Ironworks. Anderson Ironworks has been a cornerstone of craftsmanship, blending traditional forging techniques with modern design to create stunning and functional metalwork that enhances architectural character.
For decades, Anderson Ironworks has contributed to the beauty and functionality of local landmarks, including the Chestnut Hill Hotel and the MARKET at the Fareway. The company has also earned national acclaim for its meticulous attention to detail and excellence in design.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the artistry of ornamental ironworking firsthand.
Robert Anderson: As the owner and partner at Anderson Ironworks, Robert Anderson has been a driving force since 2006, continuing the family’s legacy of exceptional craftsmanship. Based in Worcester, PA, Robert specializes in ornamental ironwork, focusing on design, project management, and old-world forging techniques. After joining the family business, Anderson Welding, in 1992 following high school, Robert mastered foundational skills in fabrication and welding before transitioning to ornamental ironwork. He dedicated years to perfecting traditional forging methods, which have become the hallmark of Anderson Ironworks. Under Robert’s leadership, the company has earned national recognition, including prestigious awards from the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association (NOMMA), such as a Bronze Award for Hand-Forged Iron Gates (2010), a Silver Award for Non-Ferrous Gates (2013), and a Gold Award for Restoration (2023) for the Princeton Ferris Thompson Gates. Robert’s work is prominently featured in local projects, including the Chestnut Hill Hotel and Market, where Anderson Ironworks has crafted and maintained custom metalwork such as railings, planters, signage, and stainless-steel features. His dedication to blending tradition with innovation has made Anderson Ironworks a trusted name throughout Montgomery and Bucks Counties and beyond, with a growing portfolio of creative and technically precise projects that reflect his passion for enhancing architectural character.
This program is perfect for anyone, from history enthusiasts to those curious about how to maintain or restore metalwork. During this free in-person event, Robert Anderson will provide an engaging exploration of the history, craftsmanship, and restoration of ornamental ironwork, complemented by a live forging demonstration that showcases the timeless beauty and precision of this craft.
The Conservancy’s Lead Sponsor, Chubb, General Sponsors, and members make this free program possible. Ask the Experts is organized by the Conservancy and offered in collaboration with the Chestnut Hill Community Association.
For advance questions or registration inquiries, please contact Conservancy Programs and Communications Manager Chrissy Clawson at Chrissy@CHConservancy.Org.
Registration is free but required.
Night of Lights
Thursday, October 3, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Night of Lights draws thousands to Chestnut Hill to experience the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s free, innovative public streetscape exhibition. This beloved community tradition illuminates Chestnut Hill’s business corridor and one of America’s iconic main streets, Germantown Avenue.
New this year, join us for a soft opening night on Thursday, October 3, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM to preview the excitement ahead. The evening will feature theatrically illuminated architecture and seven captivating slideshows projected through storefront windows along Germantown Avenue.
Date: Saturday, September 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19138
Experience the beauty of Awbury Arboretum firsthand with a guided walking tour led by George McNeely, a local architectural historian, lecturer, and writer of the “Our Town” column in The Chestnut Hill Local.
Awbury Arboretum is both on the National Register of Historic Place and a Philadelphia Historic District, and includes 55 acres of public land and 25 historically significant buildings, mostly single-family houses. The district is approximately half a mile northeast of busy Germantown Avenue, which has since the 17th Century been the central commercial spine of what is now Northwest Philadelphia.
Into the 19th Century, the area was farmland with copses of woods and scattered modest farmhouses. Starting just before 1850, members of the extended Cope family began buying land and building what were originally summer houses, along with the necessary support structures. Those houses were designed by a number of important local architects, including Thomas Ustick Walter, Addison Hutton, Cope & Stewardson, and Duhring Okie & Ziegler.
Such country estates typically included a “home farm” that produced the family’s vegetables, fruit, and meats. The home farm at Awbury was gradually removed as the farm fields were transformed into a Picturesque English-style landscape by several noted local landscape architects, including Thomas Saunders, Arthur Cowell, and Harrison Mertz & Emlen. More recently, the Arboretum has recreated the traditional “home farm” with an active community hub for non-profits that focus on urban agriculture, including the Philly Goat Project, the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild, and Food Moxie.
The lecture, led by George McNeely, a local architectural historian, lecturer, and writer of the “Our Town” column in The Chestnut Hill Local, will provide a deep dive into the arboretum’s historical context, touching on key moments and figures that contributed to its development.
This tour provides an immersive experience, allowing participants to connect with the history, architecture, and natural beauty of Awbury Arboretum. The exact meeting location for the tour will be emailed to registrants. Remember to plan your visit to Awbury with public transportation!
Space is limited; sign up today!
Disclaimer: Please wear waterproof shoes with no open toes and consider wearing pants, as the terrain is uneven, and there is a chance of encountering poison ivy. The tour will proceed rain or shine.
In addition to our generous sponsors and supportive businesses and members, the Discovering Chestnut Hill tour and lecture series is sponsored by event sponsor John B. Ward & Co. Arborists and supporting sponsor Cawley Masonry.
Date: Wednesday, September 11, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Delve into the fascinating history of Awbury Arboretum, which is both on the National Register of Historic Place and a Philadelphia Historic District, and includes 55 acres of public land and 25 historically significant buildings, mostly single-family houses. The district is approximately half a mile northeast of busy Germantown Avenue, which has since the 17th Century been the central commercial spine of what is now Northwest Philadelphia.
Into the 19th Century, the area was farmland with copses of woods and scattered modest farmhouses. Starting just before 1850, members of the extended Cope family began buying land and building what were originally summer houses, along with the necessary support structures. Those houses were designed by a number of important local architects, including Thomas Ustick Walter, Addison Hutton, Cope & Stewardson, and Duhring Okie & Ziegler.
Such country estates typically included a “home farm” that produced the family’s vegetables, fruit, and meats. The home farm at Awbury was gradually removed as the farm fields were transformed into a Picturesque English-style landscape by several noted local landscape architects, including Thomas Saunders, Arthur Cowell, and Harrison Mertz & Emlen. More recently, the Arboretum has recreated the traditional “home farm” with an active community hub for non-profits that focus on urban agriculture, including the Philly Goat Project, the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild, and Food Moxie.
The lecture, led by George McNeely, a local architectural historian, lecturer, and writer of the “Our Town” column in The Chestnut Hill Local, will provide a deep dive into the arboretum’s historical context, touching on key moments and figures that contributed to its development.
Following the lecture 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.
The Zoom link will be sent to registrants approximately one day in advance of the program.
In addition to our generous sponsors and supportive businesses and members, the Discovering Chestnut Hill tour and lecture series is sponsored by event sponsor John B. Ward & Co. Arborists and supporting sponsor Cawley Masonry.
