La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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BROTHERLY LOVE £ 4m t was founded upon a Quaker ideal of religious tolerance and personal free- dom. It was to be a greene countrie towne where people could live peace- fully with one another. It was to be a community of brotherly love. This was founder William Penn ' s dream in 1682 for Philadelphia. Today, three hundred years later, Philadelphia has grown into one of the most unique and fascinating cities in the United States. It is a city of vision, looking to the future, while always nuturing its intimate relationship with the past. Take a minute to read this Philadelphian ' s brief, personal perspective toward his great city in its Tricentennial year. Historically, Philadelphia is the richest city in the United States. The birthplace of a nation, as it has been called, it is the host of numerous historical sites. Independence National Park is perhaps the most famous. There is no single square mile in the entire country that can stir the spirits from the past of so many prominent personages and significant events. The developing of an ideal, the debating for a cause and the drafting of a document are all integral parts of the lifeblood of Philadelphia. Carpenter ' s Hall on 4th Street and Independence Hall on Chestnut Street are two of the most famous landmarks physically embodying the founding of our nation. Perhaps the most cherished and revered symbol of our city and nation is housed in the pavilion across from Independence Hall — the Liberty Bell. It pronounces to all who behold it, Pro- claim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabi- tants thereof. These landmarks are not merely historic sites to be visited, but, more importantly they are the spirit of this great city. History has not only been captured in the landmarks of Philadelphia, but also in its architectural and cultural di- Once considered a defiant intrusion, the Art Museum has today become an irreplaceable part of the Philadelphia skyline. versity. No one edifice embodies the mood of the nine- teenth century as does the tower that tops the skyline of Philadelphia — City Hall. Reflecting both history and art, the structure was designed to express American ideas and develop American genius. It possesses a myriad of sculptures ranging from those depicting the races of man to prayer and meditation. In the words of Mayor William Green, To everyone it is a unique showplace of history, architecture, art and craftsmanship from a former age. During the nineteenth century the foundations were laid for making Philadelphia the cultural and entertainment center it is today. The Academy of Music was constructed in the 1850 ' s at its present location on Broad and Locust Streets. The Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoological garden of its kind, opened in 1874 on the west side of the Schuyl- kill River in Fairmount Park. By then, the park itself had expanded its boundaries to encompass the scenic banks of the Schuylkill. Drives were leveled on both sides of the river to enable coaches and strollers alike to fully appreciate the beauty of the City of Brotherly Love. Tourist-writer Lafacadi Hearns wrote of the era, thou- sands of carriages file by each with a pair of lovers in it . . . Love is so much the atmosphere of the place. For Phila- delphians, the East and West River Drives still possess

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Books are for the scholars ' idle times. Emerson

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that atmosphere of love, instilling that spirit within many who frequent them. Philadelphia is a city intimately bonded to its impres- sive past. Its list of historic firsts is most impressive. It includes America ' s first theater (Chestnut Street), street lighting and paving, and ice cream soda. However, Phila- delphia is not a city to live in the past. Alive with a dynam- ic spirit, Philadelphia is enjoying a cultural renaissance ranging from the fine arts to entertainment. Philadelphia ' s support and enthusiasm towards the fine arts is evident in the longstanding traditions of excellence offered by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. More recently there has been the internation- al acclaim of the Pennsylvania Ballet which performs at the Shubert Theater. The Pennsylvania Ballet is a major company of an international quality, says Clives Barnes. It is perhaps the best resident company in this country. Philadelphia has also become an astounding music cen- ter offering a rich and diverse spectrum of sounds for the active listener. Its music ranges from the internationally acclaimed Philadelphia Orchestra to the support of home- grown Rock and Roll talents such as the A ' s and Hall and Oates. To host this extensive array of music Philadelphia has some of the finest concert halls in the country which include The Academy, the Spectrum, and the Mann Mu- sic Center and Robin Hood Dell East in Fairmont Park. The park itself has grown into the largest and finest city park in America. It truly enhances the beauty of Philadelphia and places some truth in William Penn ' s vision of a greene countrie towne. The aesthetic beauty of Philadelphia is not merely seen in its art, music and expansive parks, but also in its devo- tion and commitment to renewal and development. Penn ' s Landing, named after the city ' s founder, is a mile long river front development that hosts numerous cultural events. This year the oceanliner Queen Elizabeth II is expected to arrive for Philadelphia ' s 300th birthday cele- bration. It will be rechristened the Welcome , the ship which Penn arrived on in 1682. Across from Penn ' s Landing there has been the renewal of Head House Square and New Market — historical sites that have regained much of their eighteenth century charm and purpose. They are favorite places to shop, eat or just enjoy an evening in Philadelphia. At this point, there is the temptation to continue listing the achievements of Philadelphia, such as why it is the nation ' s most innovative restaurant city or the city of champions, but this would neglect the most important and precious resource of the city — its people. Philadel- phians are what makes Philly, Philly. Their diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds are what prompted such things as the Mummers, the cheese steak and the soft pretzel. They are the heart and soul of the city. They give it its character. True Philadelphians stuck it out through the tough times, but they are just beginning to reap the bene- fits. Statements like, Philadelphia ' s civic pride has been restored with a new mayor and championship sports teams are great for the city ' s national image, but that civic pride has always been there and is the basis of Phila- delphia ' s growth and development. When the Daily News headlined the Phillies ' World Championship, it did not read Phillies Win, but rather We Win meaning Philadelphia and everyone who is a part of this great city. With a style all our own, how can we lose! GREGORY GERUSON The contrast of the nineteenth century architecture of City Hall to the modernism of Claes Oldenburg ' s Clothespin makes Center City, as Mayor William Green said, A unique showplace of history, architecture, art and craftsmanship.