I read a fascinating article recently in the Northeast Times by Martha Esposito (“Group celebrates, preserves history of Frankford”). According to Pat Smiley, a longtime resident of Frankford and retired school teacher, during that historic (and hot) summer of 1776 as the Founding Fathers hammered out the details of freedom from British rule, they sometimes retreated north to the cooler climate of Frankford to discuss matters. In fact, Mrs. Smiley is quoted as saying, before the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776, one was actually held before that in Womrath Park, a triangular plot of greenery located at the division of Frankford and Kensington Aves. at Womrath Street.
As one who played as a child at Womrath Park—and later chronicled news about it—I had never heard this account. Now, some say it’s hogwash, but Mrs. Smiley says there is documentation to prove it. Fascinating.
Frankford is one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods. Once home to a thriving manufacturing base, and later a pioneering retail center, it has been badly battered by the ravages of drugs and crime. It deserves much better. Thanks to the steadfast beliefs of Mrs. Smiley and folks like her, hope flickers in Frankford largely due to its affordable housing and superb public transportation hub.
On Sunday, July 3, the Keep the Faith in Frankford group will team up with the folks from the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and the Historical Society of Frankford (ahh, the many conversations this scribe had with historian Howard Lee Barnes there!) to sponsor a tour entitled “Frankford: A Revolutionary Community.” The trek will begin at the GAR Museum (the old Dr. John Ruan House) at Ruan and Griscom sts. at noon. It will wend along King’s Highway (Frankford Avenue) with stops along the way, finally ending at the Historical Society, Orthodox St. near Griscom.
And, there will be a reenactment of the reading of the Declaration in Womrath Park! How cool is that!?
For more information about the tour, call 215.560.5616.
BY E. PLURIBUS UNUM
Always remember: Out of many, one.