Historian Jack McCarthy last week outlined Poquessing Trail of History: The Land The People The Stories during a presentation in front of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network.
McCarthy, a Parkwood resident and former president of the Friends of Northeast Philadelphia History, spoke at Pennepack Baptist Church, 8732 Krewstown Road.
McCarthy is director of the Poquessing Trail project, which is being sponsored by the Preservational Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
The project will focus on the following four areas:
• The birth house of Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, which was demolished in 1969 by the city Department of Licenses and Inspections. Apartments are now at the site, on Keswick Road. A representation of the house will be built in Benjamin Rush State Park, using stones from the original house.
• A monument will be built near the Poquessing Trail to honor the Lenape, the original inhabitants of the area.
• The Byberry Township African American Burial Ground will be restored. It is on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, thanks to research conducted by Joe Menkevich.
• Byberry Hall, built in 1847 by Robert Purvis, will be restored.
McCarthy explained that the project will have two components.
One is construction/restoration.
The other will be public programming, with 10 events taking place from this summer to next summer. The kickoff will be on June 28, from noon to 3 p.m., at Byberry Meeting, 3001 Byberry Road.
For more information, visit PoquessingTrailofHistory.org or visit the project on Facebook and Instagram. ••
