FIC JANUARY PROGRAMS
January 3, Quarterback Luncheon – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Palmer Hartl is our Quarterback on Tuesday (not Monday), as we reopen after the holiday recess.
January 5, Thursday Luncheon Roundtable – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Speaker is Mickey Herr, Philadelphia writer and recently returned Innmate. Her topic—When Memorials Aren’t Enough: Dinah of Stenton.
Mickey will share the impact of Dinah’s story at Stenton, one of Philadelphia’s oldest house museums. Dinah was long recognized for her role in saving the house from British arsonists in 1777. Now, through the arc of her life as a slave and then a freewoman at Stenton, the museum is addressing an issue at the heart of the national debate over historic monuments: the absent memorials to contributions of enslaved African Americans to our history. Laura Keim, curator at Stenton, will join Mickey to discuss this work in progress, which has become part of the legacy of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. (The NSCDA Pennsylvania chapter has stewarded Stenton since 1899.)
Mickey Herr settled in Philadelphia after following a professional path through fashion to nonprofit fundraising and communications. Along with her self-described “occasional consulting gigs within the historic realm,” she now pursues her passion for writing, delving into what connects us, whether by blood (genealogy!) or by merely walking the streets of our forebears. Her writing for the online magazine Hidden City Daily points to her interest in elevating the histories of women. She is coauthor of William Lewis, Esquire: Enlightened Statesman, Profound Lawyer, and Useful
Citizen (Diane Publishing, 2012). Last April, she spoke to Innmates about her essay, “A Walker’s Paradise,” published in the anthology Ways of Walking (New Door Books, 2022). She is currently working on a novel and sharing her “writer’s photography” and other inspirations
at mickeyherr.com and on Instagram.
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January 9, Monday Quarterback Luncheon – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Franklyn Rogers is our Quarterback.
January 12, Thursday Luncheon Roundtable – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Speaker is Jonathan Burton, development director of the Independence Historical Trust. His topic—Hamilton’s Bank and The Restoration Project.
Jonathan joined the Independence Historical Trust in 2022, as it celebrated its 50th anniversary and looked toward completion of its signature project – restoration of the First Bank of the United States. Beyond the restoration, the Trust is turning its attention to the creation of exhibits to trace the origins of our national economy in Alexander Hamilton’s vision, exploring key aspects of the nation’s commerce, workforce, natural resources, and financial systems. The Trust, as the nonprofit partner of Independence National Historical Park, has secured $4.5 million for the design phase of the restoration project and is awaiting $30.1 million in federal funding for the construction phase. Jonathan will detail the project, the construction timeline, and plans for the exhibits.
Jonathan Burton was executive director of the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks from 2013 to 2019 as well as former resident site manager of the historic Powel House in Society Hill. He holds a multidisciplinary BS in communications and marketing from the University of Towson and an MS in nonprofit leadership from the University of Denver.
Video: To see a recording of this presentation, click on Play Event. Click on the play button at the bottom left of the screen that comes up to see the presentation. To see Closed Captions, move your cursor to the lower right corner of the video to see available options, click on the “cc” icon, and then click on the “English (auto-generated) cc” option in the pop-up menu.
January 16, Monday Quarterback Luncheon – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Alan Penziner is our Quarterback.
January 20, Annual Meeting &William White Dinner, starting 5:30 p.m.
January 23, Monday Quarterback Luncheon – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Tom Tropp is our Quarterback.
January 26, Thursday Luncheon Roundtable – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Speaker is Jennifer Gray, from the Arch Street Meeting House. Her topic— Unearthing Quaker History on Arch Street.
Earmarks of the Quaker faith are embedded in Philadelphia history, yet only a few Quaker meeting houses still remain within the city limits. Arch Street Meeting House (ASMH) in Old City, although not the oldest, sits on land that was early Philadelphia’s predominant Quaker cemetery. And that’s just one of its many quirks! ASMH staff member Jennifer will unearth the history of the large meeting house, focusing on the burial ground beneath and on notable Philadelphia Quakers, and touching on the faith’s defining features.
Jennifer Gray is passionate about museum education, and is always looking for ways to bring a love of history to others. She joined the staff at Arch Street in 2021 and has worked in historical institutions throughout her career, including Eastern State Penitentiary, Liberty Hall Museum & Gardens, and the Betsy Ross House. (She portrayed Betsy for six years!) She holds a BA in history and an MA in education from Arcadia University.
Video: To see a recording of this presentation, click on Play Event. Click on the play button at the bottom left of the screen that comes up to see the presentation. To see Closed Captions, move your cursor to the lower right corner of the video to see available options, click on the “cc” icon, and then click on the “English (auto-generated) cc” option in the pop-up menu.
January 30, Monday Quarterback Luncheon – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Alina Macneal is our Quarterback.