Chestnut Hill is lighting up this fall with the return of their annual streetscape exhibition, Night of Lights.
The beloved event from Chestnut Hill Conservancy lets visitors learn about architecture, archives, and local history along the 8000 to 8700 blocks of Germantown Avenue, and it all begins with a “Flip the Switch” opening ceremony on Friday, Oct. 3 (6:30 to 7 p.m. at 8708 Germantown Ave). Following that, other kickoff festivities will include family-friendly activities and music from various acts, including local jazz group Limited Time Only (LTO), Flute of the Spirit, Rich Rudin and Lynn Riley (from Maplewood Music Studio), Matteo Bofinger, Ralph Salerno, Second Story Walkup, and students of Yes! And…Collaborative Arts.
“Night of Lights brings community history and architecture to light through large-scale projections in storefront windows and vibrant illumination along Germantown Avenue,” says Conservancy Executive Director David Gest. “Each October, archival images and stories are paired with vibrant lighting that draws attention to Chestnut Hill’s historic buildings, inviting people to look up, reflect on the area’s rich architectural design legacy, and consider the importance of preserving what makes Northwest Philadelphia so special.”
The event will ultimately transform Chestnut Hill’s main street into a vibrant nightly streetscape exhibit with local histories and illuminated architecture, projecting images from the Conservancy and other archives throughout six storefront windows. Each window will hold a different theme, with topics covering the West Mt. Airy Neighbors Historic Preservation Initiative, Mapping the Wissahickon, Celebrating Teaching Artists, Friends of the Cresheim Trail and more.
Locals will be able to see subjects like saving historic landmarks in the 1960s, highlights of the rich arts ecosystem of Northwest Philadelphia and other local tidbits while strolling through this charming part of the city.
“This year will be my first Night of Lights, and I’m especially excited to celebrate our unique mission of connecting the community to history through our archives and to architecture and conservation through our advocacy and easement work,” finishes Gest. “With the Flip the Switch ceremony taking place at our Conservancy headquarters, we not only highlight the stories of the Avenue but also our stewardship of our own historic building—bringing to life the idea that the places we care for are themselves resources for the community.”
To learn more about Chestnut Hill’s Night of Lights, visit chconservancy.org
