Friends of the Tanner House

The Friends of The Tanner House Launched in December 2021, recognizing the importance of the Henry O. Tanner House in not only art history, but also Philadelphia history. The all-volunteer group of local African-American preservation advocates came together to spearhead preservation efforts for the house.

The Preservation Alliance joined the Friends of the Tanner House as a preservation advisor, and serves as the group’s fiscal sponsor for their fundraising efforts. All donations through the Preservation Alliance to support the effort are fully tax-deductible.

Byberry Township African American Burial Ground

We have partnered with the Society to Preserve Philadelphia’s African American Assets on research and planning for the future of the Byberry Township African American Burial Ground. Founded as a burial place for free and enslaved Blacks, the only burial for which documentation has been uncovered occurred in 1780. Today, the burial ground sits between Benjamin Rush State Park and a federally owned archives building with no visible grave markers and no signage indicating the presence of this historic cemetery.

Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society

The Preservation Alliance have a long history of engagement with the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society but when their building suffered flood damage in the Summer of 2020, the Alliance jumped into action to help recovery efforts.

We’ve maintained a close partnership focused on helping the Museum recover from the flood and planning for a prosperous future of the Museum and Historical Society.

Old Airy Street Prison, Norristown

In July, Montgomery County awarded a demolition contract for the Old Airy Street Prison in Norristown. Napoleon LeBrun designed both the prison and the neighboring County courthouse in the 1850s. To receive a demolition permit, the Norristown Municipal Council must approve the County’s application, as the prison is located within the Central Norristown Historic District. A committed group of Norristown advocates are fighting to save and rehabilitate the historic structure. The Preservation Alliance is serving as a fiscal sponsor for fundraising efforts. All donations are fully tax-deductible.

Philadelphia Sound Preservation Project

The Philadelphia Sound Preservation Project (PSPP) is working to preserve and redevelop the Sigma Sound Studios original location on North 12th street in Chinatown. In 2020, PSPP and the Preservation Alliance successfully nominated the building for historic designation, preventing developers from demolishing this significant music landmark.

Established in 1968 by recording engineer, Joe Tarsia, over 200 gold and platinum hits were recorded in this studio by artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to ZZ Top. This is where David Bowie recorded his hit album “Young Americans”. Thanks to Sigma and the musicians that frequented the studio (such as MFSB), Philadelphia became a popular creative destination for artists such as David Bowie and Stevie Wonder. This is the home of “The Philly Sound.”

Experience Eastern North

Experience Eastern North is a community designed and led tour series focusing on Eastern North Philadelphia. This area serves several historic Latinx communities and is home to key sites and moments in our city’s ongoing legacy of art and activism.

The Preservation Alliance is a contributor to the tour committee and serves as the fiscal sponsor to this group as they develop this tour program to amplify this neighborhood’s rich history and cultural landmarks.

Penn Knox Neighborhood Association

The Preservation Alliance has partnered with the Penn Knox Neighborhood Association of Germantown to save “Boxwood,” an historic residence completed in 1897 that was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 2021. The current owner of the property, the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, applied to the city for a demolition permit in 2022, citing financial hardship. The Alliance and PKNA have been engaged in periodic discussions with the school to try to find a path forward that would result in the preservation and restoration of the house rather than its destruction.