Taking a ride to launch a new form of transportation
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024: 11 AM - 3:30 PM
Front and South Streets
Caroline Earle White created the Women's Branch of the PA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on this date 155 years ago. Now a horseless electric carriage named after her will give sample veg history tours to kick off this new industry. It's
the first eCarriage in any major US city. I hope to be on the very first ride. Will I see you there?
Celebrating the First Subway in the World
Society for Industrial Archeology
Oliver Evans Chapter
Presents The First Subway in the World (London, England)
An illustrated presentation by Joel Spivak
DATE: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 TIME: 6PM
Oliver Evans Chapter President Joel Spivak created and delivered a power-point to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first subway in the world (London Underground) January 9, 2013.
He has updated the talk which covers some of the celebration and shows images of the first subway's constructon, followed by images of other subways in the world, including
Philadelphia.
LOCATION: Parkway Central Library of Philadelphia, PA 19103
(Or attend via Zoom) Helm Center Room 131/132
Entrance at back of Library off Wood St.
There is usually meter parking around the Library at this time.
Parking Lot is located on Callowhill St. between 19th & 20th Sts.
QUESTIONS: Call Reese Davis at 610-692-4456 or e-mail.
FALL 2023
Exploring Black liberation & spirituality with the Tanner House
Celebrating Veterans' Day with the Museum of the American Revolution
Presenting the history of the trackless trolley
SPRING-SUMMER 2023
Learning about the patriots!
BACK TO SCHOOL PATRIOTS
Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Old Pine Street Church Historic Graveyard 412 Pine Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
Helping celebrate recent wins.
and
Doing art!
SPRING 2023
Observing Memorial Day...
..................Morning: West Philly
..................Afternoon: Society Hill
Monday, May 29th 2:45pm
Old Pine Street Church
412 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
Join us on Memorial Day as we honor our veterans, both resting in our historic graveyard and those who hold a place in our memory.
If you wish to honor a veteran during the ceremony, please submit his/her name to Alice Reyes by Friday, May 26th so that their name may be called out at 2:45 pm, followed by Taps to be played by bugler Aidan Peterson as we join in the Taps Across America National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 pm.
MARCH 2023
Still upcycling along with my Dumpster Diver friends.
The Philadelphia Dumpster Divers:
Still Upcycling After All These Years
March 9, 2023 - March 28, 2023
Over 130 works from 31 divers!
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 5-7 PM
Exhibition organizer Carol Cole will give a talk about the show in the gallery
on Thursday March 16 at 6pm.
Chester County Art Association
100 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester, PA 19382
610.696.5600
Learning more about the Underground Railroad at Old Pine on Feb. 19th.
SUMMER 2022
Helping Commemorate Memorial Day at Old Pine Street Church.
Old Pine Conservancy invites you to join us for our Memorial Day Commemoration to be held Monday, May 30, 2022, at 2:00pm at the Old Pine Street Church, 412 Pine Street.
Our bugler this year will be Aidan Peterson, a third-year trumpet major at Juilliard.
Here's an update from the Museum. The show is extended to June 13, hope you get a chance to check it out.
JUNE 2021
Talking about the railroads at Society for Industrial Archeology.
FEBRUARY 2021
Sharing my early years with a fun Lost Philly podcast.
Here's what they say in the blurb:
Let's tune in the adventures of Joel Spivak, who lived in Philly's West Oak Lane from the mid 1940's until 1960. Joel was quite an urban explorer. He remains so to this day. In fact, long ago Spivak adopted Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In" as his anthem. Joel's an architect, artist and author and he's also contributing mightily to the revival of South Street. Spivak's working on a history of that vaunted thoroughfare. Joel is a published authority on trains and trolleys and the founder of Philly's National Hot Dog Month.
Talking about underground Philadelphia. Another chance to hear about this book and buy it.
DECEMBER 2019
Checking out the art on Lancaster Ave
NOVEMBER 2019
Supporting my friends in the Vegan community at this Friday's Philly Vegan Awards. (Me below at the 2017 PVAs.)
AND...
Join me and my friends honoring some of our neighbors.
SEPTEMBER 2019
Giving everybody one more chance to hear about this book...
AND...
Honoring those at the 'Lost at Sea' Memorial down at the Navy Yard.
AUGUST 2019
Celebrating Uptown!
JULY 2019
Celebrating Hot Dog Month Philly, including...
Celebrating the first Parking Meter. Meter people on South St enjoy a hot dog at Gus's cart. Michelle and Steve Brown.
AND...
Enjoying a delicious hot dog at one of its sponsors, Destination Dogs Hope to see you there, checking out their specials!
AND...
Let's get Lucky at the Wiener Race in Pretzel Park!
2019 Hot Dog Month Philly Events
Friday, July 5th
Honoring our Veterans.
Antney's Grub - Oregon Av & Juniper St. will provide free Texas Wieners to Veterans all day. A special price of $1 for others.
Friday July 12th
The day they created "The Medal of Honor."
Lunches provided at The Veterans Multi Service Center, 213-217 N. 4th St. Phila.
Tuesday, July 16th
Remembering Carl C. Magee, inventor of the parking meter installed on this day in Oklahoma City in 1935. The original can be seen at the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Gus's Hot Dog Cart - 5th & South St. Phila. and Hot Dog Month Philly will provide hot dogs to Parking Authority People who are working on South St. that day.
Friday, July 19th
Community Fun Day. (see flyer above)
Saturday, July 20th
Honoring Hot Dog Pioneers of Phila.
Max and Ida Kravitz who had a push cart at 4th and South Sts, in the 1930's. Their son started Lenny's Hot Dog Stands around Philadelphia. Meet their grandson Bryan Kravitz of Philly typewriter, 1439 E. Passyunk Ave. at 2 P.M. for a hot dog giveaway. See Photo
Monday, July 29th
H.E.R.O. (Helping Energize and Rebuild Ourselves) Summer Camp annual luncheon, 17th and Tioga Sts.
Sponsor a child this year: Call 215-223-5881.
JUNE 2019
Hanging out with my friends who flunked out at the Woodmere
Paying tribute to Mom
MAY 2019
Celebrating Memorial Day on Lancaster Avenue
Monday, May 27 10:00 a.m. Cochran Triangle 37th Street & Powelton & Lancaster Avenues
Celebrating the Philly connection to the completion of the transcontinental railroad
APRIL 2019
Talking about Underground Philadelphia on PHILLY FACTOR
7:00 pm, April 14
On PCN-TV "PA Books" show: Watch the interview with me and Harry Kyriakodis about our book "Underground Philadelphia."
Going to see Bryan talk typewriter.
AND...
Speaking at the Water Works about my latest book: Underground Philadelphia, by Harry Kyriakodis & Joel Spivak.
Registration: E-mail names of members and guests to
reesepdavis@gmail.com or phone Reese at 610-692-4456
The book is $21.99 plus $8.00 shipping and handling (Payable to Joel Spivak) Send checks to Joel Spivak 616 Carpenter St. Phila. PA 19147
FEBURARY 2019
Hoping you'll check out "The Little Shul" Sunday Series.
NOVEMBER 2018
Marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 100 years later.
AND...
Talking Philadelphia trolley history in Bucks County.
AND...
Learning about Philly history and eating good vegan food.
OCTOBER 2018
The Little Shul
AND...
Lancaster Avenue Day 2018
AND...
Joel meets up with his friends again!
SEPTEMBER 2018
A great day for trolleys!
MAY 2018
Marking Memorial Day 2018 at Cochran Triangle
DECEMBER 2017
Taking a Stroll Through Old South Philly
AND EARLIER:
SPEAKING AT JEWISH LEARNINGFEST
Speaking at this event on Dec. 3rd. My presentation: "The Archeology of the Philadelphia Jewish community."
NOVEMBER 2017
TALKING TRANSIT ARCHITECTURE
ENJOYING WORLD VEGAN MONTH AND THE PHILLY VEGAN AWARDS
The Philly Vegan Awards will be held November 10 at the Friends Center, 15th and Cherry Streets, starting at 7 p.m. with a tasting of vegan food by some of Philadelphia's best vegan chefs. Winners will be announced in 12 categories, such as best pizza, best appetizer, best desserts, best sandwiches, best new vegan restaurant, etc. Additionally, Richard Landau and Kate Jacoby, the owners of Vedge, will be honored with a special award for their role in helping to create Philadelphia's current vegan dining scene.
World Vegan Month is celebrated in November as the word "vegan" was created in November of 1944 by what would become The Vegan Society in the UK. This year Philly Vegan Day will be officially celebrated on November 10, as proclaimed by the Mayor's Office of the City of Philadelphia, in conjunction with the Philly Vegan Awards.
VEGAN MONTH WINDOW AT FOURTH AND BAINBRIDGE
Check out this window display across from Famous Deli at 4th and Bainbridge where you can learn about vegan history and vegan literature as well as using the helpful map to find vegan food close by. Give it a try!
OCTOBER 2017
CELEBRATING THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DUMPSTER DIVERS
CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF LANCASTER AVENUE
TALKING ABOUT THE CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY
JULY 2017
CELEBRATING NATIONAL HOT DOG MONTH IN PHILLY
Here's our remaining events for for
NATIONAL HOT DOG MONTH IN PHILLY.
Hope to see you at one of them or all of them!
Please share with your friends.
2017 National Hot Dog Month Philly
2nd-half-of-the-month events
July 18th: Noon: Lunch at H.E.R.O. 3439 N. 17th St.
July 20th: 4 - 6 pm: Hot Dogs Served at the Trolley Depot, 33rd and Dauphin Sts. Sponsor - Strawberry Mansion Civic Association
July 21st: 5 - 8 pm: Community Fun Day, 39th and Olive
July 22nd: 1 - 4 pm: History of Hot Dogs in Philadelphia, Phila. History Museum, 47 S. 7th St.
$10 Admission - Program and Hot dog and refreshments
July 25th: Lunch for children at the bible camp, Philip Temple Methodist Church, 3rd and Fitzwater
July 26th:
DONATE BLOOD AT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FROM JULY 24TH thru JULY 31ST AND GET A FREE HOT DOG AT PAT'S STEAKS - 9th & Wharton
For additional coverage of National Hot Dog Month in Philly please check our website.
Previously in National Hot Dog Month in Philly...
JUNE 2017
A Sidewalk sale for a historic theater.
APRIL 2017
Talking about the history of Fabric Row.
MARCH 2017
Judging the BEST VEGAN CHEESESTEAK IN PHILLY Contest on March 23
Along with three other notables from Philadelphia, JOEL SPIVAK is on the esteemed judges' panel to taste and name the 2017 winner of the title Best Vegan Cheesesteak in Philly. Top popular vendors will serve vegan cheesesteak samples to attendees. Tickets are $5.00 in advance. More details here.
AND
Joel and his friends the Dumpster Divers are having another show.
OCTOBER 2016
Talking Philly trolley history in Willow Grove. Come on up, the trip is worth it.
AUGUST 2016
"Showing my art with the rest of the divers."
JULY 2016
-------------- CELEBRATING NATIONAL HOT DOG MONTH IN PHILLY ------------
JOEL ASKS:
"Help me help the American Red Cross.
Please donate blood."
National Hot Dog Month Philadelphia 2016
E V E N T S
June 24th - 6 PM: 703 S. 4th Sts. Opening of "history of hot dogs" window exhibits (can be viewed 24/7).
JULY (all month): Best Hot Dogs created for hot dog month contest. "Best of South St." Birthplace of hot dog month Philly & "Best Of Philly." Food critics and celebrity judges will check out the creations of area restaurants with a prize awarded on July 30th.
July 12th: Sponsors will provide lunches for veterans at The Phila. Veterans Multi-Service Center. 213 N. 4th St. Phila. (last year we fed over 600 vets.)
July 14th: Lunch provided for children at summer camp at H.E.R.O. community Center, 17th and Tioga Sts.
July 15th - 2 PM: South St. Hot Dog cart History. (pop up exhibit with special guests at 5th & South at Gus's
July 18th: Eating hot dogs at the Ballpark
July 20th - 7 PM: 4421 Main St. Manayunk. "Wiener Race at Lucky's last Chance. Lucky's donates $1 for every hot dog they sell in July to PAWS.
July 22nd - 2 PM: Visiting Phila. Oldest Hot Dog Stand- Texas Wiener , 1426 Snyder Av.(opened in 1923)
July 27th: Lunches provided to children at Bible Camp at Philips Temple Christian Methodist Church. 754 S. 3rd St.
JUNE 10-11, 2016<br>
-------------------- CELEBRATING LANCASTER AVENUE DAY --------------------
(All events are free except where noted)
Monday, May 30, 2016
CELEBRATING MEMORIAL DAY
APRIL 2016
TALKING PHILLY TROLLEY HISTORY
Society for Industrial Archeology - OLIVER EVANS CHAPTER - presents
The History of the Fairmount Park Trolley
an Illustrated Lecture by
Joel Spivak, Architect, Historian and Member of OE/SIA
The Fairmount Park Trolley opened in 1896, twenty years after the 1876 Centennial Celebration. The route was 9 miles long from 33rd and Dauphin Streets to 44th and Elm Streets. (Elm is now Parkside Ave.) There were 16 stations throughout the Park, a bridge across the Schuylkill River, a Car Barn and a Power Station (See Workshop of the World, pgs 11-16)
Operations ended Sept. 9, 1946. Seventy years later there are many remnants from the system still in the Park today, including a spectacular skew arch bridge near Chamonix Mansion. Join us for this informative and enjoyable talk.
Joel Spivak is a practicing architect and in his spare time is a historian of metropolitan transportation systems. He has published three books on local (Philadelphia) transportation systems and in 1997 received the Best in America award from the National Home Builders Association for his design of "affordable" housing. He has been an active member of OE/SIA for 25 years.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Time:
5:30 Refreshments
6:15 Program
Cost:
$10 per person if pre-registered.
$15 if not reserved in advance
Place: Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center
Since Art Museum and Restaurant are closed, you can park on the Circle, closer to FWWIC
Reservations Required: E-mail names and phone numbers of members and guests to oliverevanssia@outlook.com or phone Reese Davis at 610-692-4456
ALSO: APRIL 2016
HANGING OUT WITH MY FRIENDS AT MY FAVORITE COMMUNITY CENTER
JULY 25 - JULY 31: SUPPORTING the AMERICAN RED CROSS
Joel will be there. Will you?
*** Calendar for National Hot Dog Month in Philadelphia: ***
Sun. July 5. Opening of hot dog history and doll display at 703 s. 4th St. Reading of the Mayoral Proclamation at 2:30 p.m.
Fri. July 10th. (2nd Friday on Lancaster event) Remembering famous hot dog stands from the past # 2 40th and Lancaster Ave. 6:00 till 8:00 p.m. Display & free hot dogs.
Sat. July 11th. South St, Hot Dog Crawl. Visit 5 different restaurants and sample their creations for hot dog month. Starts at NOON at Copa/Redwood, 4th & South Streets. Pay as you go. Free Hot Dog Month Philly T-shirts for those who complete the crawl. Music by The Wild Bohemians.
Tue. July 14 or 21. Old Timers from south Philly will visit the Levis's hot dog stand in Jenkintown Pa. Their stories will be collected for a future film.
Thur. July 23rd. Primo Hoagies - 326 South St. 1:00 till 7:00 p.m. Veterans eat free (sausage sandwiches)
Sat. July 25th. Remembering famous hot dog stands from the past #3. "The Little Dog House" 5121 Germantown Ave. (seen at right) 1:00 till 3:00 p.m. Display & free hot dogs.
Matchbooks from Levis's hot dog stand.
Mayoral Proclamation of National Hot Dog Month in Philadelphia 2015.
BACK OF T-SHIRT:
MAY 2015
Celebrating Memorial Day.
Monday, May 25, 2015
10:30 a.m. at 37th Street & Lancaster Avenue
and
NOON at Clara Muhammad Park, 48th Street & Lancaster Avenue
See our beautiful new banners designed by Rasheedah Phillips, from Neighborhood Time Exchange.
Have a nice holiday.
AND:
REMEMBERING
Rocketships & Accessories at 623-625 South Street
What's That Out There? South Street's Beloved Space Station
From 1981 to 1989 Spivak built a career out of collecting Space Age toys - much of which was loaned to the Smithsonian for the "Yesterday's Tomorrows: Past Visions of the American Future" traveling exhibit in 1984. Although he's parted with the bulk of his collection, he still owns more than your average number of rayguns, movie posters, space cadet uniforms, sweaters, and ephemera, all accompanied by countless anecdotes while orbiting South Street. Spivak's store was an oasis for bygone-era science fiction fans. >>>More...
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts 201 Washington Street
Reading, PA 19601
January 10 - February 22, 2015
Who are The Dumpster Divers of Philadelphia?
They are a group of over 40 found object artists, meeting monthly to share trash-picked finds, art-making stories, field trip and flea market news, exhibits announcements and socialize with our their fellow art eccentrics.
In this group exhibition, they will show the great variety of how found objects inspire the artists - figures; masks; in boxes or other containers; political statement; abstract assemblages; still life; story-telling and for function. Their artwork is as diverse as the group and materials used, all of it engaging, often playful, sometimes political, ironic, and definitely delightful.
Special thanks to Ann Keech for organizing this event.
NOVEMBER 2014
FREE Thanksgiving Dinner
For All Veterans and Their Families
At PRIMO HOAGIES South Street
326 South Street - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - 215-923-3101
Come to eat and watch the football games
and enjoy a free traditional Thanksgiving meal
Above: Joel Spivak in 1960.
OCTOBER: TWO TROLLEY TALKS: PHILLY, 10/17 - JERSEY, 10/27
Ongoing
Window Display 703 S. 4th st (at Bainbridge St.)
Philly hot dog history and Hot Dog Doll Display.
Special event on Fri. July 25th Sat. July 19th Dog Days of Summer More info HERE:
Tue. July 22nd Vets eat free at Primo's hoagies South Street location.
City of Philadelphia Proclamation for Hot Dog Month
State of Pennsylvania Proclamation for Hot Dog Month
Hot dog doll display at 703 S. 4th St
VOICES OF SOUTH STREET
"Before the Renaissance"
Pioneers tell their stories of South Street in the Sixties
Monday, June 16, 2014 * 7 - 9 p.m. * $15 at door PhilaMOCA 531 N. 12th Street (12th & Spring Garden)
South Street became a successful commercial corridor when William Penn made it the southern border of his new city.
In the late 19th century Jewish immigrants began moving into the area and the life above the store became their entry to the new world.
In the 1930s stores installed large signs to attract customers.
After world War II, entire facades were renovated to show off their businesses .
In the early 1960s banks red lined the properties because of the looming highway.
Many people moved out and the cheap rents attracted the artist.
SPEAKERS:
Tom Bissinger grew up in San Francisco and in 1969 moved to South Street to become the artistic director of TLA. Members of his company included Morgan Freeman, Danny DeVito and Judd Hirsch. (see group photo below)
Marge Schernecke, born and raised in Queen Village, was a teenager working at Auerbach's clothing store across the street from the TLA.
Joel Spivak moved back to Philadelphia in 1969, and was helping his friends Rick and Ruth Snyderman build a store called "The Works," next to Auerbach's.
The cast of Rosalyn Drexler's "The Line of Least Existence" in 1969. Cast includes Danny DeVito and Judd Hirsch, as well as Morgan Freeman, who was not there for the photo.
Remembering the "Home of 7-UP"
Saturday, January 4th, 2014 - 1 P.M. 816 Carpenter St.
(Phila. 19147)
-- A final toast of 7-UP to 7-UP --
Above: 7 up being chilled for the final toast. Right: Guests looking at the vintage bottle at Espositos in the Italian Market.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Rich Wagner, left, Penna. Brewery Historian & Author of "Philadelphia Beer," spoke about the many small brewers in South Philadelphia, many of whom became bottlers.
Len Davidson, right, author of "Vintage Neon" and Director of Sodafest 2000, led us in a sing-along of the 7UP Jingle and an homage to Philly's Historic Sodas
Joel Spivak and The South Street Museum present "Hot Dog History in Philadelphia" with a window display at 703 S. 4th St. featuring a late 19th century Pushcart.