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Art Houses
Cultural institutions and universities are giving us the most new landmarks.
-Steve Conn

March 27-April 2, 2003

cityspace

War Between the Museums

by Daniel Brook

The Fairmount Park Commission has solicited proposals from organizations interested in relocating to Memorial Hall, the grand Parisian-style structure at 42nd and Parkside first built for the 1876 Centennial exhibition. The structure houses some Park Commission offices but is in need of repair. Two cultural institutions -- the Civil War and Please Touch museums -- have expressed interest in the building. The commission solicited public comment at a March 25 hearing and is expected to make a decision in early April.

According to Nancy Kolb, who runs Please Touch, "the building isn't big enough for both [museums], which is too bad." Kolb says her museum has been interested in the site since the planned move to Penn's Landing fell through when the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group backed out of the waterfront project. Kolb says Please Touch has outgrown its current Center City location and Memorial Hall, with its proximity to the Philadelphia Zoo and its ample free parking, would be perfect for the museum.

Kolb also says she is eager to restore the building physically. "Memorial Hall needs a friend, somebody who can bring back some of its grandeur," she says.

Backers of the proposal to turn Memorial Hall into the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum cite the fact that the building was originally constructed to honor Civil War dead. A Civil War memorial arch sits near the site. Advocates for the Civil War museum did not return repeated requests for comment by presstime.

The long, slow struggle to make the Ben Franklin Speedway, er, Parkway pedestrian friendly continues. The Center City District (CCD) is beginning a year-long project to improve lighting of the pedestrian paths that line the boulevard. The plan also calls for illuminating the street's public sculptures and notable buildings. CCD spokesperson Elise Vider says that in addition to the increased lighting, her organization is "at work on a larger project" to improve the Parkway in accordance with the recommendations of their 1999 study.