Hello All:
Announcement of Public Hearing on ABOLITION HOUSE AND OTHER UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BUILDINGS IN WHITEMARSH |
I'm going to start of with the bottom line:
ATTEND THE HEARING IN A SHOW OF SOLIDARITY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF BLACK HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
WHAT: An Underground Railroad Historic Site, ABOLITION HALL is scheduled for demolition in
Whitemarsh - The Whitemarsh Town Council is deliberatIng over the fate of our Black History
WHEN: PUBLIC HEARING
Thursday, May 24, 2018, at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Whitemarsh Township Building 6l6 Germantown Pike in Lafayette Hill (next to Chestnut Hill)
HOW: ATAC (Avenging the Ancestors Coalition) is providing transportation and information to those who need it to attend the hearing
CALL: 215.552.8751 OR email ATAC@avengingtheancestors.com for a seat on the bus to Whitemarsh
A peaceful demonstration coordinated by Friends of Abolition House to preserve our history and protect this landmark -- Black people are asked to just quietly observe and be a PRESENCE to make sure Whitemarsh and K. Hovnanian (developers) know that Black people are aware and concerned about the fate of ABOLITION HOUSE AND OUR HISTORIC BUILDINGS, and the establishment of permanent monuments in keeping with the magnitude and significance of their place in OUR HISTORY!!
Abolition House and several other UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BUILDINGS may be slated for demolition or obscurity. |
Now here are the facts:
It
appears that K. Hovnanian, a major national development company that
has complexes all over the East Coast and Midwest, has purchased 10.5 acres of land
near Chestnut Hill in the Whitemarsh Township area, with the
intention of building 67 town houses on the property. Generally
there would be nothing remarkable about this, just another cookie cutter K. Hovnanian development going up - Except for the fact
that they are building these townhomes on historic land that was part
of HARRIETT TUBMAN'S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD!!!
Since Whitemarsh Township is predominantly white, the fact that the
Underground Railroad monument was there would probably go completely
unnoticed. But, as so aptly articulated by ATAC's Michael Coard, Friends of Abolition Hall, a grass roots organization, have
come together to protect the sanctuary - "In the same spirit as John Brown and so many other whites who were against slavery and did what they could to help."
As it turns out, Philadelphia has many UNDERGROUND RAILROAD sites, and a long history in helping Black people escape the horrors of slavery, shielding them from discovery and making sure they had safe passage to Canada. The buildings in Whitemarsh are over 400 years old and have been maintained, are part of the National Registry, as well as National Landmarks.
According
to one of the lead members, who spoke via phone on a call in:
“We came together about two years ago
when we got word that a real estate developer had signed an agreement
of sale to purchase a 10.5 acre parcel of land at the intersection of Germantown Pike is the same as
Germantown Avenue – it changes from Avenue to Pike when you cross
City Avenue. So at this intersection is this 10.5 acre parcel of
land, but it's not just any parcel of land – this was a documented
stop on the UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. There's a long history about this
property. It's deep in the history of this community. It's written
history! It's oral history! This piece of land is recognized by the
United States Department of the Interior and listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, because it was a stop on the Underground
Railroad; and later it was the home of the studio of a famous
artist, who painted “The Last Moments of John Brown,” the
activist/abolitonist who devoted his life to the cause and went to
the gallows for it.
Harriet Tubman who led hundreds of Black people to freedom via the UNDERGROUND RAILROAD |
The Caller Continued: "So this property, which is called the ABOLITION HOUSE, comprised of several structures, is the old farm house, including the
stone house and another building. Abolition
Hall was used as seed gathering spot of escaping slaves and fugitves
escaping slavery. They could gather here and not be afraid of being
shamed, cursed at, or harmed in any way.
"The person who built
Abolition Hall was George Corson. This was his property. He was a
farmer, merchant, lineberger. He raised his family here, and when he
passed, his daughter and son-in-law raised their family here. This
property has been in the same family's hands since the lat 1700s; and
it was only now (in the 21st century) that their decendants have decided to sell it.
"What
the developer is proposing to do is to build 67 townhouses on this
hallowed ground. What he is planning to do is not to destroy this
historic property; He is planning to separate the buildings from the
field where he is planning to build 67 town houses. So he's
isolating those historic stuctures from the fields that are so much a
part of the history. So as a story of the UNDERGROND RAILROAD with
history of saving people from being dragged back into slavery. Many
of them came from Germantown – this was the first stop just outsde
the city. And so people may have been at the Johnson House in
Germantown near Washington Lane, and he would be given sanctuary
there by the Johnson Family. And then, in the cover of darkness,
they were taken to Plymouth Meeting, and from there they were taken 7
miles up to Germantown Pike to the next safehouse where they
sheltered until they could be passed on to the next safehouse,
getting ever closer to the Canadian Border, where, once they crossed
that border, they knew that they were indeed safe.
“So
we've been fighting for two years to save this property. We're not
arguing whether or not the development should not happen; but we're
arguing that because of this extraordinary legend – because of its
role in the Underground Railroad, it deserves something better. It
deserves more land to be allocated around the historic buildings.
It deserves public access so that people can come into the park and
learn about the history of the Underground Railroad; the people who
sought shelter here, and the families that provided sanctuary. It
deserves more breathing room and it deserves to be given a chance to
be something wonderful; to preserve the history of these buildings.So
we are engaged in a fight which is taking place in the township
building in Whitemarch. We are engaged in a series of hearings; and
these hearings are in this instance where the judge is our governing
board – which is our board of supervisors, and they are sitting
judgment on this plan, determining whether the plan meets the
requirements of the township's code. And we are arguing that it
doesn't, but as you can imagine, the developer has very deep pockets,
represented by a very aggressive attorney, who insists that they have
met all the of the township and they simply just want them to say
this is fine, this is great, just go ahead and do what you want with
our little township and later for history.
The Caller Concluded:
"The
next hearing is this Thursday night, May 24, 2018, at 7:00PM, and we
would be deeply appreciative if you would be present at this hearing
to fill a seat, and be there an bear witness to this and to convey
the message that this place matters – to bear witness to our place
in history and its meaning to the millions of lives that have been
saved as the result of their heroism and generosity -as modern day
people, we have the responsibility to preserve this legacy and DEMAND
SOMETHNG BETTER!!”
Michael
Coard, who made it possible for the caller to address the group via phone at a recently held meeting spoke of the urgent need to be present and take a stand to protect and preserve our historical monuments, expressed appreciation for the caller, who is white, and her group, Friends of Abolition House, wrapped up the session by stating, “We appreciate what you're trying to do – I will call you
tomorrow with some ind of idea of how many people from Philly to
expect."
According to Michael Coard, the ABOLITION HOUSE, is part of State Senator Vincent Hughes constituency, who has been made aware of the situation.
Make it you business to show up - this is a peaceful demonstration - a show of solidarity - but they can't see it if we aren't there!! Make it your business to be counted and stand for your ancestors who sacrificed so much so that we could be free.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria
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