Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation

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Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation
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Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation, May 2010
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Location1301 Spring Garden St.,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 39°57′43″N75°09′37″W / 39.962°N 75.1602°W / 39.962; -75.1602
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built1926–1927
ArchitectIrwin T. Catharine
Architectural styleLate Gothic Revival, Ecclesiastical Gothic
MPS Philadelphia Public Schools TR
NRHP reference No. 86003335 [1]
Added to NRHPDecember 4, 1986

The Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation is a historic American school building in the Poplar neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Contents

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. [1] The school has since closed and has been turned into lofts. [2]

History and architectural features

Designed by Irwin T. Catharine and built between 1926 and 1927, this historic structure is a five-story, brick building hat sits on a limestone base and grade-level basement. Created in the Late Gothic Revival style, it features a projecting entrance bay with Gothic arch opening, round arched openings, and decorative spandrel panels. It was used as an "observation school" for teacher education and training. [3] It is named for Congressman Thaddeus Stevens (1792–1868).

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. [1] The school has since closed and been turned into lofts. [2]

In 1998, Philadelphia based mural artist Meg Saligman painted the iconic mural "Common Threads," wherein she depicted a humanity shared across time, today's youth paralleled with classical figures. All models for the mural were local high school students. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Iconic Mural Arts Lofts Receives $16.2 Million Construction Loan for Historic Renovation Plans". MultifamilyBiz.com. February 15, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  3. "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System.Note: This includes B. Mintz (July 1986). "Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey Form: Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation" (PDF). Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  4. "Meg Saligman: Common Threads 1998". megsaligman.com. Retrieved June 30, 2019.