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Women For Greater Philadelphia Inc

Women For Greater Philadelphia empowers women through cultural storytelling and historical engagement, fostering community connections and preserving the legacy of influential women in Philadelphia's history.

This new collaboration between Women for Greater Philadelphia and Casabuena Cultural Productions brings history, culture, and community storytelling to life through a living history production. You will meet five residents of this historic house and hear their stories, in their own words in &quot;Voices of Laurel Hill Mansion&quot;, a story of patriots and loyalists.&nbsp; Few historic houses embody the conflicts and contradictions of the American Revolution like Laurel Hill Mansion (LHM). It was built in 1767 in what is now East Fairmount Park at the behest of widow and mother of three children under the age of five, Rebecca Warner Rawle as a summer retreat. &nbsp;That same year Rebecca marries Sam Shoemaker who will be the mayor of Philadelphia from 1769- 70 and serve two terms in the Pennsylvania Assembly. Sam will later be declared a traitor by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania and Laurel Hill Mansion seized by the patriots because of the families loyalist leanings.&nbsp; For a single summer Esther de Berdt Reed, the British-born wife of Joseph Reed, president of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will live at LHM with her Mother and children. A passionate patriot Esther is the author of &quot;Sentiments of an American Woman&quot;, a broadside expressing the aspirations of women to be useful in the cause of the American Revolution. Esther and Sarah Franklin Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read Franklin, co-founded the Ladies Association of Philadelphia which raises over $300,000 for the patriot cause. Esther runs the operation from Laurel Hill. &nbsp;She will die just shy of her 34th birthday on September 18, 1780. Laurel Hill will be leased to the French Ambassador, Chevalier de la Luzerne &nbsp;who used his personal line of credit to fund supplies for Washington&rsquo;s soldiers. Luzerne, who had a military background before his diplomatic career, also influenced the strategic end to the Revolution with the siege at Yorktown. We will also hear from William Rawle, Rebecca&#39;s son, who George Washington appoints to the position of US attorney for Pennsylvania in 1791. William was involved in the creation of many of the United States&rsquo; new institutions. He was the first president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, a member of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society in its infancy, and the founder of Rawle and Henderson Law firm, now recognized as the oldest law firm in the nation. He believed in the federalist ideas and in support of the U.S. Constitution wrote &ldquo;A View of the Constitution of the United States&rdquo;&nbsp; In this historically engaging performance, the former residents of the mansion come to life, sharing their stories from their own perspectives illuminating history. Join us for this original production commissioned by Women for Greater Philadelphia, written by Lawrence M. Arrigale and Thomas H. Keels, presented by Casabuena Cultural Productions and directed by Mariangela Saavedra performed in a location once walked by those whose voices we hear.&nbsp; The production will be followed by a reception where you will have an opportunity to meet the authors, actors, director, and members of Women for Greater Philadelphia.

Voices of Laurel Hill Mansion Premier Performances

Sip, savor and celebrate our nation&#39;s 250th at a stunning garden party at historic Laurel Hill Mansion. &nbsp;Enjoy live jazz, signature drinks and delicious seasonal bites in a beautiful garden setting overlooking the Schuylkill River. &nbsp;This elegant afternoon gathering kicks off our 250th anniversary celebration while supporting a year of meaningful programs, events and preservation efforts. &nbsp;Attendance is limited so secure your tickets now to be a part of this once-in-a-generation event! (Rain date will be Sunday, June 7.) Would you like help us make our 250 Celebration activities come to life? &nbsp;We invite you to join our Red, White &amp; Blooms Fundraising Campaign and become a sponsor by visiting the link below and making a contribution. &nbsp; A variety of benefits and special perks are available at different contribution levels. &nbsp;Be sure to check out the program!&nbsp; <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/red-white-and-blooms-250th-celebration-fundraising-campaign" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN</a> <span contenteditable="false" draggable="false" fr-original-class="fr-img-caption fr-draggable fr-rounded" fr-original-style="width: 592px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" style="width: 592px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit;"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1777083026/wysiwyg/tgzpfek3tci6tryqwufm.jpg" style="width: 592px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit; background-clip: padding-box; border-radius: 10px;" fr-original-style="width: 592px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable fr-rounded"><span contenteditable="true" fr-original-class="fr-inner" fr-original-style="" style="outline: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) solid 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; font-weight: initial; opacity: 0.9; width: 100%; margin: auto; padding: 5px 5px 10px; display: block;">Event will be hosted on the shaded grounds of Laurel Hill Mansion

Red, White & Blooms: A 250th Celebration Garden Party

Join our community of supporters and become a member today. Your membership not only grants you access to exclusive benefits but also directly supports our mission.&nbsp; Women for Greater Philadelphia are the stewards of the historic Philadelphia park house Laurel Hill Mansion, the creators of cultural events, educational programs, and the preservers of history. Thank you for choosing to be part of WFGP. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community. Ready to make a difference? Start your journey by becoming a member now!

Join our community of supporters and become a member today. Your membership not only grants you access to exclusive benefits but also directly supports our mission. Women for Greater Philadelphia are the stewards of the historic Philadelphia park house Laurel Hill Mansion, the creators of cultural events, educational programs, and the preservers of history.Thank you for choosing to be part of WFGP. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community.Ready to make a difference? Start your journey by becoming a member now!

Women For Greater Philadelphia Memberships

In 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th Anniversary &mdash; an historic milestone honoring the founding of our nation. &nbsp;At Laurel Hill Mansion, history lives within the walls and gardens of one of Philadelphia&rsquo;s mostremarkable historic homes, built in 1767. To launch our 250th celebration programming, Women for Greater Philadelphia will host&nbsp;Red, White &amp; Blooms: &nbsp;A 250th Celebration at Laurel Hill Mansion &mdash; a marquee celebration, honoring history and community. &nbsp;This signature event will bring together members, supporters, preservationists and friends of Laurel Hill Mansion for a memorableafternoon on the historic grounds. &nbsp; This special event will launch a season of programs designed to honor America&rsquo;s 250th anniversary while celebrating Philadelphia&rsquo;s rich cultural and historical legacy. &nbsp;Proceeds from Red, White &amp; Blooms will directly support a dynamic lineup of community-focused initiatives, including the opening of our 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule, Voices of Laurel Hill Mansion historical storytelling program, the&nbsp;Heritage Festival and American Songbook Summer Concert Series that will engage and inspire audiences across the region. Join us in sponsoring this unique commemoration to honor and preserve this history for future generations. &nbsp;Each level of sponsorship entitles the contributor to a variety of benefits outlined in our Sponsorship Brochure, as well as the knowledge of being a part of this special moment in time. We thank you for your continued support and partnership! &nbsp; To join us for the Red, White &amp; Blooms: &nbsp;A 250th Celebration Garden Party, on&nbsp;Saturday, June 6, please visit our ticket site at the link below: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/red-white-and-blue-250th-celebration-garden-party" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">GARDEN PARTY TICKETS</a>

In 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th Anniversary — an historic milestone honoring the founding of our nation. At Laurel Hill Mansion, history lives within the walls and gardens of one of Philadelphia’s mostremarkable historic homes, built in 1767.To launch our 250th celebration programming, Women for Greater Philadelphia will host Red, White & Blooms: A 250th Celebration at Laurel Hill Mansion — a marquee celebration, honoring history and community. This signature event will bring together members, supporters, preservationists and friends of Laurel Hill Mansion for a memorableafternoon on the historic grounds. This special event will launch a season of programs designed to honor America’s 250th anniversary while celebrating Philadelphia’s rich cultural and historical legacy. Proceeds from Red, White & Blooms will directly support a dynamic lineup of community-focused initiatives, including the opening of our 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule, Voices of Laurel Hill Mansion historical storytelling program, the Heritage Festival and American Songbook Summer Concert Series that will engage and inspire audiences across the region.Join us in sponsoring this unique commemoration to honor and preserve this history for future generations. Each level of sponsorship entitles the contributor to a variety of benefits outlined in our Sponsorship Brochure, as well as the knowledge of being a part of this special moment in time.We thank you for your continued support and partnership! To join us for the Red, White & Blooms: A 250th Celebration Garden Party, on Saturday, June 6, please visit our ticket site at the link below:GARDEN PARTY TICKETS

Red, White & Blooms 250th Celebration Fundraising Campaign

As the nation commemorates America&rsquo;s 250th anniversary, Women for Greater Philadelphia (WFGP) will present An American Songbook, a summer concert series at Laurel Hill Mansion. &nbsp;Concerts begin at 2:00p.m. Each concert is followed by a reception on the back porch where can enjoy the river view, light refreshments and meet and greet the artists. July 26, 2026 &ndash; The Wister Quartet, Chamber MusicThe Wister Quartet has been recognized since 1987 for its refined musicianship, expressive performances, and enduring contribution to chamber music. Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, the ensemble is known for bringing both classical masterworks and contemporary repertoire to life with warmth, precision, and artistic depth. August 2, 2026 &ndash; Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble&nbsp;The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble has been a vital force in Philadelphia&rsquo;s jazz community for more than four decades. Led by bassist and composer Warren Oree, the ensemble is known for its expansive sound and signature approach, &ldquo;Undefeated Jazz,&rdquo; blending spiritual jazz, post-bop, and world-music influences with dynamic improvisation and layered rhythmic interplay. August 16, 2026 &ndash; Salty Crackers, Traditional Acoustic Instruments in the Folk TraditionSalty Crackers is a four-member ensemble. Their repertoire spans early American folk music through the first half of the twentieth century, delivered through the Appalachian vernacular and traditional acoustic instrumentation. August 30, 2026 &ndash; Allen Krantz, Classical GuitarAllen Krantz is an acclaimed composer, guitarist, and educator whose work spans solo, chamber, orchestral, and vocal music. A graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory and Stanford University, he has performed at leading venues including Carnegie Hall and is recognized for programs that blend classical repertoire with original compositions. For season tickets please choose 7/26/2026 - 8/30/2026Tickets for individual concert dates must be purchased separately.WFGP members apply the discount code that was emailed to you on June 1, 2026 at checkout.Information about becoming a member of Women for Greater Philadelphia the stewards of Laurel Hill Mansion can be found at&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.womenforgreaterphiladelphia.org/pages/membership.html" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.womenforgreaterphiladelphia.org/pages/membership.html</a>

Women For Greater Philadelphia Inc

Women For Greater Philadelphia Inc

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An American Songbook

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Women For Greater Philadelphia Memberships

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Red, White & Blooms 250th Celebration Fundraising Campaign

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