ELFRETH’S ALLEY CAPS 300^TH YEAR WITH DECK THE ALLEY and SUNDAY SHOWCASES
 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – November 20, 2002 – During the month of December, the private residences of Elfreth’s Alley will once again open their doors to the public in celebration of 300 years of existence.  The traditional annual Deck the Alley event will expand this year to include three Sundays in December, allowing more visitors to enjoy the charming holiday festive mood along the nation’s oldest residential street.

The annual traditional Deck the Alley event will take place on Friday, December 13, 2002 from 6 – 9 pm on Elfreth’s Alley.  Tour nearly 20 private residences along Elfreth’s Alley during this popular holiday event. Deck the Alley features carolers, Windsor Chair-making demonstrations, warm cider and festively decorated homes.  A sell-out every year, Deck the Alley is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Tickets should be reserved in advance by calling the Elfreth’s Alley Association, 215-574-0560; adults $15, seniors and students $12.  Tickets are timed for 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, and 8:00 pm.  If any tickets remain available the night of the event, they sell for $20 each.

During the Deck the Alley open house, Tony Passarelli, a professional Windsor chair maker from Delran, New Jersey will create his hand-crafted chairs using colonial methods.  Guests will have a chance to enter a raffle for one of Mr. Passarelli’s Windsor rocking chairs.  In addition, Mary Anne McMullen will show her handmade jewelry utilizing traditional gemstones.

If guests want smaller crowds and more time to enjoy some of the houses, they can attend a special benefit evening on Saturday, December 14, from 6 – 9 pm.  For $50 per person, participants receive an in-depth walking tour guided by historians and museum staff, plus tour a dozen private residences along the Alley.  Included in the ticket price are hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and desserts with festive musical entertainment.  A hand-crafted Gift Gallery will also be on display.

In celebration of the Elfreth’s Alley Tricentennial Anniversary, don’t miss a special opportunity to tour four homes along Elfreth’s Alley during the Deck the Alley Sunday Showcase, each decorated in the traditions of the 18^th, 19^th, 20^th and 21^st centuries.  This special celebration will take place on December 8, 15, and 22, 2002, from 1-3 pm each of those days.  The Showcase features warm cider, entertainment, and self-guided tours of these select homes.

Colonial carolers will serenade participants as they stroll down Elfreth’s Alley, observing all of the holiday decorations.  An historical playlet about the foundling of Elfreth’s Alley will tell the story of a baby discovered in a cellar window in August 1791 that the residents of the street adopted.  In addition, guests will be welcomed with free warm apple cider and cookies.  Admission for the Deck the Alley Sunday Showcase is $5 per person.

“The entire Tricentennial year has been a big one for Elfreth’s Alley,” said Executive Director Beth Richards.  “We have welcomed guests from all over the country and the world inside the homes of the Alley, and this year’s expanded holiday programming allows more people to enjoy these treasures.”

The private residences open during the Showcase will be decorated by Mark Mainville and Anthony Verdi, partners who own Chartreuse Flowers Home and Events at 1200 Spruce Street.  Each of these three homes will be decorated to represent a different century – the late 1800s, the early 20^th century (1940s), and a modern house decorated in today’s cutting-edge style.  In addition, the Elfreth’s Alley Association will decorate the Museum house with traditional colonial 18^th century holiday decorations.

Chartreuse, whose partners are partially donating their services, is a full service flower shop, with a collection of unusual home items.  The shop uses the highest quality and freshest floral products to create distinctive designs and assemble a beautiful selection of home accessories and gifts and bring them to the customer at a reasonable price.  Chartreuse extends it mission of quality, unique design and customer service to its event business as well.  More information is available about Chartreuse at www.chartreuseflowers.com.

The Elfreth’s Alley Association gratefully acknowledges the support of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for holiday programming.  For further information about the Philadelphia Holiday Festival, visit www.gophila.com.

Established in 1702 as a cartway, the 32 domiciles on Elfreth’s Alley’s have housed thousands of people, from colleagues of Benjamin Franklin to young professional families, from immigrants to esquires, from blacksmiths to bankers. Located in the heart of Philadelphia's history-rich Old City neighborhood, Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark and the nation's oldest residential street.  Each year the Alley welcomes thousands of visitors to stroll along the cobblestones and experience the 18th century homes – still private residences today – and to encourage their support of this American treasure.

For more information on Elfreth’s Alley, visit www.elfrethsalley.org or call (215) 574-0560.  NOTE: PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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Note to Editors: For story angles and photographic images of Philadelphia and its surrounding countryside, visit www.gophila.com/pressroom.  

November 2002

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