Glen Foerd is an historic riverfront estate and museum. For hours of operation please visit our webs Glengarry was the scene of many gala affairs.
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The Glen Foerd estate was established by Charles Macalester, Jr. Born in Philadelphia in 1798, he was a respected businessman and broker in the Philadelphia firm of Gaw, Macalester and Company. In addition, Macalester was appointed government director of the Second Bank of the United States. He was also friend, and advisor to numerous United States presidents. Officer and cabinet posts were offere
d to him, but he preferred to remain independent. In 1850, Macalester purchased 1,000 acres in northeastern Philadelphia and divided, plotted and sold off large lots of his land. Holding onto one section of the land for a summer residence, he built a three story Italianate riverfront house and called it Glengarry, after his family’s Scottish ancestral home. In addition to the mansion, the estate consisted of a stone gas house, ice house, Gothic-style gatehouse, a sixty foot high stone water tower, five large greenhouses and riverfront cupola. During the summer, heads of state and other dignitaries traveled from Washington, D.C., where Macalester maintained a residence, as guests of Macalester and his daughter, Lily Macalester Laughton, a famous Washington hostess. After her father’s death, in 1873, Lily continued residence at Glengarry until her death in 1891. In 1895, the mansion was purchased by Robert and Caroline Foerderer. Robert made his fortune in the manufacture of kidskin leather. Leather gloves, shoes and other clothing accessories made from the soft, supple leather was the height of fashion. His Philadelphia manufacturing enterprise employed 5,000 workers and processed nine million goat skins a year. After purchasing the estate, Foerderer hired architect, William McAuley of Philadelphia, to handle extensive renovations to the mansion. The house was enlarged and enhanced with Classical Revival additions. Additions included a porte cochere, formal dining room, and impressive art gallery. Other enhancements included a Haskell pipe organ, parquet floors, grand staircase, elaborate leaded glass skylights, and rathskellar. A carriage house and garden house was added at this time, and the gas house was converted for use as a boat house. Everything was planned to enhance the uniqueness and beauty of the home and to accommodate entertainment on a grand scale. As a final touch, they changed the name of the estate to Glen Foerd, a merger of Glengarry and the Foerderer name. Due to the elaborate renovation design and labor delays, the Foerderers had not yet moved back into the mansion when Robert died in 1902. The Foerderers had two grown children at the time of his death, Percival and Florence. Around 1915, Florence and her husband, William Tonner, moved to Glen Foerd to assist her widowed mother. The boathouse (former gashouse) was converted into a residence for Florence and her husband. They lived there just a short time before moving into the mansion with their two daughters, Marjorie and Carol. A new boathouse was built to accommodate William Tonner's new yacht. After her mother’s death in 1934, Florence continued to add to the art collection started by her parents. Florence assembled one of the most extensive private collections of prints in the country. Florence was a strong supporter of the arts. She was herself a talented poet and painter, as well as a musician. She went to great lengths to encourage young artists, frequently purchasing and displaying their work. She remained very active in the cultural and social affairs of Philadelphia, until her death in 1971 at the age of 89.
Help protect water quality by marking storm drains in the Delaware and Poquessing Watersheds on November 4th! Join PDE and Friends of Poquessing Watershed of Philadelphia and Bucks County as we mark storm drains near Glen Foerd as part of the Philadelphia Water Department Storm Drain Marking Program.
For more information about storm drain marking visit https://delawareestuary.org/mark-a-storm-drain/. To sign up for the event, email [email protected].
Lovely Sunday at Glen Foerd ❤️🌱
Last chance to grab your tickets to the Wedding Crashers' Ball this Friday! You don't want to miss this wacky wedding performance by Influx Theatre Collective where everything that can go wrong will. Your ticket will give you front-row seats to the unruly matrimony of two star-crossed lovers Leche Von Milke and Lottie Oatmen, whose feuding families are bitter dairy business rivals. Stay for the open bar, dinner, and live music by the West Philadelphia Orchestra.
Tickets available here: https://glenfoerd.rallyup.com/wcb2023/Event
Photo by Emilie Krause
Our annual fundraiser, Wedding Crashers' Ball is coming up next Friday! This year we will have both a Silent Auction and Live Auction. Our Silent Auction items include a Glen Foerd cocktail party for up to 20 guests catered by Jamie Hollander Catering and Events and a Day Cruise for 2 with Sea Philly. Our Live Auction items will include 4 nights in a beautiful house in Palm Springs, California. Snag your tickets here: https://glenfoerd.rallyup.com/wcb2023/Event
Deadline Extended! Apply now for our Artist in Residence Program until November 13th. This opportunity offers a $3,000 stipend to support the creation of a new site-specific work at Glen Foerd. Join us for an artist Open House tomorrow, October 14th from 10 am-1 pm and November 3rd from 10 am-1 pm. Apply Here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/artists-in-residence
Don’t miss this classic Halloween movie playing tonight! The Federal Donuts food truck will be there just bring your own chairs and blankets.
https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/10/10/movies-by-the-river-hocus-pocus
Tomorrow night at Glen Foerd at 7pm!
Grab your (free) ticket to secure your spot here: https://ow.ly/HGKb50PUzr9
In honor of 'sDay check out this map of Lenape Land before Philadelphia known as Coaquannock or "grove of tall pines". It features meticulous line drawings and some familiar place names.
This map was published in 1934 and a print of it can be seen in the Rathskeller. To learn more about the map read this article by Hidden City https://hiddencityphila.org/2021/11/coaquannock-map-shows-lenape-land-before-william-penn/
Wedding Crashers’ Ball ticket sales have been extended! Reserve your spot now and spend your Halloween weekend partying with us on the Delaware. On October 27th support our historic estate while enjoying dinner, drinks, and an amazing performance.
https://www.glenfoerd.org/weddingcrashersball
Don't miss this Terrarium Therapy workshop on Sunday, October 29th! Create your very own long-lasting pumpkin succulent planter. Tickets are available here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/10/29/pumpkin-succulent-planter-workshop-with-terrarium-therapy
Artists can visit the Main House for our last two Artist Open Houses Friday, Oct. 6th from 10 am-12 pm and Saturday, Oct. 14th from 10 am- 12 pm.
This opportunity offers regional visual artists unprecedented access to Glen Foerd’s historic collections, grounds, and the Delaware River.
Previous artists have focused on related issues such as environmental conservation, wealth inequality, race, and industrialization. Applications are due on Oct 23rd. Apply here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/artists-in-residence
Join us next Sunday, October 15th for a guided tour of the Main House and grounds.
Learn about local history and enjoy the natural landscape!
Register here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/10/15/second-sunday-guided-tours
Tickets are going fast for the Wedding Crashers' Ball on October 27th!
Don't miss this performance led by inFLUX Theatre Collective full of family drama, unexpected visitors, music by the West Philadelphia Orchestra, and plenty of surprises.
The evening will include dinner, an open bar, dancing, and a silent auction with items that include contemporary private home stays of five nights in Nauset Beach, Cape Cod, Mass., and four nights in Palm Springs, Cali
Reserve your spot by Oct 7: https://glenfoerd.rallyup.com/wcb2023/Event/Details
Photos by Emilie Krause
Glen Foerd is an historic riverfront estate and museum. For hours of operation please visit our website www.glenfoerd.org.
Artists applying for our 2023-24 Artist in Residence program are welcome to join us for an Open House this Saturday from 2-4 p.m. Tour the Main House and grounds with our Arts and Culture Program Manager. Apply for the residency here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/artists-in-residence
Photo: Hawkish and Doveish by Sarah Peoples, photograph by Jamie Alvarez
September was full of fun Lily PADS activities including a Fairy Tea Party! There are still a few spots left for our October activities full of spooky-themed crafts. On Oct. 3rd kids can make their own Halloween-themed string art, on Oct. 17th we will make Halloween masks, and Oct. 24th will be all about creepy crawlers and creating bug hotels. Click here to buy tickets: https://www.glenfoerd.org/events
Get your tickets now for our annual fundraiser, the Wedding Crashers' Ball on October 27th!
Fulfill your wedding-crashing dreams while enjoying an interactive wedding performance, food, and dancing. Philly's award-winning Influx Theater Collective and West Philadelphia Orchestra have put together an incredible evening full of comedy, love, fiasco, and drama-- all while supporting Glen Foerd's historic preservation.
Ticket sales end October 7th, so make sure to get yours while you can at www.glenfoerd.org/weddingcrashersball.
Meet this year's Artists in Residence Selection Committee Members!
Victoria Prizzia is the founder of Habithèque Inc. (pronounced: HAB-eh-TECH) an interpretive planning and design studio based in Pipersville, Pennsylvania. Since 2007, Victoria has provided leadership and senior creative direction for new, award-winning interpretation programs throughout the Philadelphia region and across the country, crafting inspirations and experiences to increase public engagement with our most essential resource— water.
Victoria’s work is grounded in the belief that when the heart and mind are ignited, a fertile landscape for learning is created. Self-discovery, curiosity, and playing on the edge of our knowledge are integral features of how Victoria approaches her work and guides her creative teams. She views each project as a doorway to creative expansion and social change.
Victoria holds a Master of Arts in education (critical and creative thinking) and a Master of Fine Arts in interpretive planning and design. Her work and civic contributions combine a lifelong passion for the environment, a rich understanding of how people learn, and a deep commitment to serving the public good. In addition to more than 20 years in cultural interpretation, education, and production, Victoria has served as a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, the University of the Arts, Drexel University, and the University of Hawaii.
⭐Artist applications are due October 23rd! Apply here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/artists-in-residence
Meet this year's Artists in Residence Selection Committee Members!
Billy Dufala is a Philadelphia-based artist/musician engaged in a wide variety of creative disciplines. He is a co-founder and Creative Director at RAIR, an artist residency located at Revolution Recovery, a construction and demolition waste recycling facility in northeast Philadelphia. RAIR’s mission is to challenge the perception of waste culture by providing a unique platform for artists at the intersection of art and industry. Billy is also known for his ongoing collaborative work with his brother Steven, as the Dufala Brothers. The brothers create drawings, prints, sculpture, performance, music, and design.
⭐Artist applications are due October 23rd! Apply here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/artists-in-residence
Meet this year's Artist in Residence Selection Committee Members!
Kathleen Ogilvie Greene is a trained visual artist leading with her creative and improvisational practice as Chief Audience Officer at Grounds For Sculpture (GFS). Greene is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of creating sustainable institutional impact through system creation, and curatorial and community engagement. Her work plays a critical role in prioritizing equity, inclusion, and diversity (EDI) within GFS while creating sustainable pipelines for broader community partnership and relationship building. Greene is an advocate for cultural workers and living artists and centers much of her work around creating audience-centric engagement. Previous employers include the Barnes Foundation, Fleisher Art Memorial, and Mural Arts Philadelphia. Greene received a BFA from Howard University and an MFA from The School of the Artist Institute of Chicago.
⭐️Artist Applications are due October 23rd! Click here to apply: https://www.glenfoerd.org/artists-in-residence
Don’t miss this outdoor screening of a Halloween classic. Food from Federal Donuts will be available for purchase.
Get into the Halloween spirit with another Free Outdoor Movie Night, featuring the Sanderson Sisters!
Join us at the beautiful riverside Glen Foerd at sundown on Tuesday, 10/10, for a bit of Hocus Pocus.
To register: https://ow.ly/Vqpm50PLggT
Extra, Extra! Drop in during open hours this Friday, September 22nd from 11 am-12 pm and join in on a pop-up history hour exploring the different historic headlines collected by the Foerderer Family! We'll be looking at front-page newspaper headlines from a wide range of events, including the first transatlantic phone call, the end of World War I, and the beginning of World War II!
The event is free and requires no prior registration. For additional information go to https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/9/22/history-pop-up-hidden-headlines
Stop by on September 26th for a Wood Window Preservation Workshop! The Senior Staff from the building conservation team at Fairmount Park Conservancy will be sharing the best practices for restoring and maintaining traditional wood windows! They'll be sharing all their secrets, including the anatomy of old window components, weatherization, product recommendations, and how-to demonstrations!
Register at https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/9/5/wood-window-preservation-workshop.
Don't forget to stop by ArtsFest on September 24th! we'll be celebrating the incredible talents of our 2022-2023 Artists in Residence, including the official debut of three new colorful sculptures created by Sarah Peoples!
There will be video highlights from Alex Tartarsky's Gnome Core, a gnome hat kids craft with our Lily P.A.D.S. educator, local artist vendors, and live music from Stella Ruze!
Not to mention amazing food from Smoke Break BBQ, Bad Mother Shuckers, and treats from Mr. Softee!
Register for free at https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/9/24/artsfest.
We are now accepting applications for our 2023-2024 Artist in Residence program!
This year we are accepting individuals in the visual arts category. Submissions are open to Philadelphia-based artists from now through October 23rd. The selected artist will receive a stipend of $3,000 for their work and materials.
Click here to apply: https://www.glenfoerd.org/artists-in-residence
Glen Foerd's Teen Arts Program is back and accepting applications for Fall 2023! The program is open to high school students, who will be invited to take inspiration from our collection and grounds, to create their own original work and strengthen their interest and appreciation in the arts. The program will take place after school weekly from October 16th to December 4th.
Learn more and apply at www.glenfoerd.org/teen-arts.
Don't miss the free outdoor screening of Encanto this Tuesday, September 12th! The event is in partnership with RiverFront North. Food from Molto Bene Ravioli Co. and drinks will be available for purchase.
Register at https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/9/12/movies-by-the-river-encanto.
We're back again with the most epic and outrageous fundraising event of the year, the Wedding Crasher's Ball! Join us on October 27th for a night of dinner, drinks, dancing, and a wild wedding performance you won't forget, all while supporting our beautiful historic estate.
Ticket sales end on October 7th so make sure to buy your tickets now at www.glenfoerd.org/weddingcrashersball and fulfill all your wedding crashing dreams!
photos by Emilie Krause
Budding environmentalists are invited to join us this Sunday, September 3rd, for an hour of fun sensory-seeking science activities all about natural spaces! The program is geared towards K-8, but all are welcome!
Register now at https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/9/3/izrelyzpt001p8zn191y7g2b1gtchn.
Sunset views at Glen Foerd! Visit our picturesque grounds open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. These hours may change due to private events so check out our private events calendar at the link below to plan your visit.
https://www.glenfoerd.org/plan-your-visit
🎥 Free Movie Under the Stars! Food Truck! Beer for Sale!
Come see "Encanto" with the whole family at beautiful riverside Glen Foerd.
Tuesday, Sept 12th - Sundown
northeastphillyencanto.eventbrite.com
Glen Foerd
923 signatures are needed, let’s get there by the end of the day?
Did you know that Glen Foerd is home to an abundance of wildlife and plants? Come explore what our beautiful grounds have to offer in a guided nature walk with naturalist Mike Weilbacher on September 9th. Discover trees that are living fossils, and fall-blooming wildflowers important for migrating birds. Register at https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/9/9/the-nature-of-glen-foerd-a-guided-walk
Photo by Steve Tint.
Join us on September 24th for ArtsFest! Don't miss this great event where we'll be celebrating local Philadelphia artists!
Check out the work of our 2023 Artists in Residence, Sarah Peoples, Alex Tatarsky, Marvin Hickman, and Marcellus Armstrong!
Support local vendors such as Honey Rose Botanicals. Jam out to live music from Stella Ruze. Try some great food from Smoke Break BBQ, Bad Mother Shuckers, and Mister Softee. Make sure you take a tour around the Main House to get a look at our beautiful collection of both historic and contemporary art!
This event is perfect for anyone from those looking to explore Philly's rich art scene to families and friends looking to relax and have fun!
Check out the last picture for a sneak peek at Sarah People's work in progress titled America's Landscape.
Register here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/9/24/artsfest
Join us Wednesdays for Lily PADS, a play and discovery space with children's programming. The program is geared towards children ages 4-10 (though occasional programs will be geared towards the 3-6 or 7-12 age groups). Kids will get to engage in science and nature-themed workshops.
Our final August workshops will be Sensory Bottles and Calming Jars on 8/23 and a Tie Dye Party on 8/30.
Buy your tickets for this week's program at https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2023/8/23/lily-pads
Stay tuned for even more exciting activities in September!
A big thank you to our Environmental Intern, Ava for all her hard work this summer running kayak trips, teaching workshops, and assisting in all things Riverways. She participated in our 2021 Riverways program and came back to help us accomplish our many environmental programs.
Ava's animal bone identification workshop has inspired even more programs focused on the exploration of wildlife. Her Riverways updates and observation posts gave great insight into our 6 week summer program.
As a sophomore in college studying environmental biology, she believes we all play an important role in keeping the environment and our waterways safe. We can't wait to see what's next for her!
Week six has drawn to a close, marking the conclusion of our Riverways Ambassadors program.
This week was particularly special as it was the final week, during which the ambassadors engaged in kayaking, enjoyed playful water games, and even had the chance to relax by watching movies. As part of their activities, the ambassadors embarked on another excursion to Amico Island, where they settled and enjoyed lunch. The week ended with an overnight campout on the grounds.
Be sure to keep an eye out for updates about next summer's Riverways programming, as well as other exciting events hosted by Glen Foerd!
It's been a great 8 weeks with our Bloomberg Arts interns. They did a great job planning and running the Clothing Swap event last weekend. They also assisted in our weekly children's program, Lily P.A.D.S.
Here is the last observation for this year from one of our Riverways Ambassadors!
Meet Christopher Medina! He attends Northeast Highschool and is going into the 12th grade. Chris' favorite part of the program has been kayaking and being out on the open water!
Outside of the program, he enjoys being out in nature and building things, such as the boats he builds at school!
Check back later this week to see the last update from our Riverways crew!
to Florence Foerderer Tonner's holiday decorations
5001 Grant Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
19114
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
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Stop by next Thursday for a night of games, food, drinks, and live music by Folk singer, Birdie Busch. Then craft some block prints with our teaching artist, Richie Lopez of Duende Textiles. Click here to register for this free event: https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2022/8/25/summer-series
This Steinway and Sons Patent Grand piano with a beautiful vintage Victorian-style art case is located in the Drawing Room. With a history of over a century old, its keys have been played by several known pianists. -Xin
Our monthly Summer Series is back this Thursday night! This month we’ll have live music by Minas Brazilian Music, food from Wokworks, and even more amazing drinks by Made with Mutual Respect and Mad Wild Wine. The lawn games will be out and our teaching artist, Stephen Coleman will be crafting wearable butterfly wings with visitors. Register for this free event here: https://www.glenfoerd.org/events/2022/7/28/summer-series-1
Thank you so much for all your support this Giving Tuesday! We are looking forward to welcoming all our members and donors to a reception on December 17!
Inspired by Glen Foerd’s extensive collection of self-help books, multi-media artist Lea Devon Sorrentino’s alter-ego @baroness_leadevon has designed a series of videos that will allow you to achieve a state of perfection! The dialogue in Sorrentino’s satirical work is derived from actual advice found in some of the most-watched YouTube influencer videos. Named among the “Artists to Watch” by the Walker Art Center, Lea’s installation can be seen in the Upstairs Library.
Studio Incamminati, School for Contemporary R
S. 9th Street
The Academy of Natural Sciences
Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Wagner Free Institute of Science
W Montgomery Avenue
Wyck Historic House, Garden, and Farm
Germantown Avenue
National Museum of American Jewish History
S Independence Mall E
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