Author Archive

Molly Lester and Marshall Tidwell

Molly Lester, a native of Pottstown and graduate of University of Pennsylvania's historic preservation program, is an independent researcher and project manager at PennPraxis. She has been an architectural history and design enthusiast since the "Design your own dream house" assignment in Mrs. Nolan's 3rd grade class. Marshall Tidwell is an urban planner and PennDesign graduate.

Modernist Monument To Mid-Century Expansion And The Rise Of The Northeast

Modernist Monument To Mid-Century Expansion And The Rise Of The Northeast

May 1, 2015  |  Vantage

The Northeast Regional Library on Cottman Avenue was built with a Modernist eye and a civic mind. Part of the Free Library's 1956 Regional Plan to put a library within 15 minutes of every Philadelphian's doorstep, the branch was also the first in the area, officially unifying the relatively new neighborhood with the rest of the city. Molly Lester looks at the origins of Northeast Philadelphia expansion through the lens of this award winning Mid-Century mainstay > more