Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

ELFRETH’S ALLEY HOSTS UNIQUE HOLIDAY MUSEUM MARKETPLACE TO HELP SHOPPERS FIND THE PERFECT GIFT

PHILADELPHIA, PA – November 20, 2002 – The Elfreth’s Alley Association is proud to host the Holiday Museum Marketplace on Fridays in December, allowing cultural organizations from across the greater Philadelphia region to reach Center City shoppers during the holiday season. Every minute is precious, especially during the busy holiday season. The Marketplace, sponsored in part by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, is the perfect place to stop and shop from our region’s cultural treasures.

Located at 1735 Market Street in the Concourse Level Atrium, shoppers will find unique gifts for the entire family from the region’s museums and historic sites, including the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the Barnes Foundation, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, National Museum of American Jewish History, Chester County Historical Society and the Elfreth’s Alley Association. The Holiday Museum Marketplace will take place on Friday, December 6, 13, and 21 from 11 am to 6 pm.

“Visitors to the Museum Marketplace can make their dollars go farther this year, and find those extra special gifts that are artsy and educational, hand-crafted and historical, and uniquely Philadelphia,” said Elfreth’s Alley Association Executive Director Beth Richards. “This first-time collaboration allows shoppers access to some of Philadelphia’s finest cultural organizations under one roof, at a time of the year when one-stop shopping is truly appreciated.”

Shoppers will find unique items handcrafted by today’s artisans – hand-painted slates, pewter pieces, museum-quality toys, period reproductions from the 18^th & 19^th century, and stuffed animals representing some of the more adorable endangered species.

The Elfreth’s Alley Association gratefully acknowledges the support of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. For further information about the Philadelphia Holiday Festival, visit www.gophila.com. In addition, shoppers at the Holiday Museum Marketplace can pick up a guide to the Philadelphia Holiday Festival to receive the latest information about all the holiday happenings in the region, from the Deck the Alley event at Elfreth’s Alley to Mummerland and New Year’s Eve fireworks.

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’s Holiday Events including the Holiday Museum Marketplace, visit www.elfrethsalley.org or call (215) 574-0560.

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

November 2002