Date
Sunday, May 17
Time
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location
American Swedish Historical Museum
1900 Pattison Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19145
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy’s John Sigmund, Director of Partnerships and Sponsorships, and local historian Thomas Keels, author of Sesqui! Greed, Graft, and the Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926, for a lecture and walk focused on the history of South Philadelphia’s beloved FDR Park.
In the early 20th century, the site of current-day FDR Park became League Island Park, part of a grandiose development scheme called the ‘South Philadelphia Improvements’. The Olmsted Brothers, sons of renowned Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted, were hired to transform the swamps of South Philadelphia into a natural wonder. Then, in 1926, the park was chosen to host the world’s fair, the Sesquicentennial International Exposition. While there are few physical remnants left from the Sesquicentennial, it brought the landscape closer to what we know today.
We’ll start off with a 45-minute presentation inside of the American Swedish Historical Museum, which itself has ties to the Sesquicentennial, before transitioning to a walk and talk through the north end (Pattison Avenue adjacent) of the park. On the walk, we’ll highlight points of park plans’ past and future, stopping at places such as the FDR Park Boathouse, the new Gateway Plaza, and the site of the Sesquicentennial’s ‘High Street’, a popular exposition built by the Women’s Committee near present-day Pattison Lagoon.
This program is offered in partnership with the American Swedish Historical Museum. Visit the link above to find out more about the museum and its programs.
ABOUT THOMAS KEELS: Thomas H. Keels is a lecturer, writer, and commentator specializing in Philadelphia history and architecture. He is the author or co-author of seven published books, including Sesqui! Greed, Graft, and The Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926; Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love; Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries; and Forgotten Philadelphia: Lost Architecture of the Quaker City. In 2026, The History Press will publish his eighth book: Sinners and Scandals of Laurel Hill Cemetery.
TICKETS: $10
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
-
We’ll meet at the American Swedish Historical Museum.
-
The walk portion will be roughly 1.5 miles over mostly flat sidewalks.
-
Appropriate for adults and mature adolescents (minors must be ticketed and accompanied by a guardian).
-
Please dress according to the weather conditions and wear good walking shoes.
-
Bring your own water and snack (there are a few water fountains along the walk route).
-
There are bathrooms at the beginning and the end of the walk, and porta-potties available along the walk route.
-
Space is limited in this event, and registration is required. If you can no longer attend, please show courtesy to fellow parkgoers and try to cancel your registration with advance notice so that someone else can participate.
-
Important pre-event information and any event updates are sent out via email. Please make sure the email address entered is correct and that you check it before coming out to the event.
PARKING/GETTING THERE: We will meet at the American Swedish Historical Museum. There is plenty of free parking available in the lot behind the museum within FDR Park. You can enter the park from the 20th Street and Pattison Ave entrance and then make the first left to enter the lot. As always, never leave valuables in your car! If traveling by public transit, use SEPTA to travel to Broad Street Line’s NRG Station (last stop), which is right across the street from the park. The nearest Indego bike station is at Broad and Pattison.
QUESTIONS?: Feel free to reach out to programs@myphillypark.org.
Enjoy our programs? Play it forward for Philly parks! Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Fair Play Campaign is creating healthy park infrastructure, expanding people-centered programs, and preparing our organization for the future. Learn more and get involved at fairplayphilly.org