Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation

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

Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation
Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation, May 2010
Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation is located in Philadelphia
Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation
Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation is located in Pennsylvania
Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation
Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation is located in the United States
Thaddeus Stevens School of Observation
Location1301 Spring Garden St.,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates39°57′43″N 75°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
MPSPhiladelphia Public Schools TR
NRHP reference No.86003335[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 4, 1986

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

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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. [4]

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.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  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 2012-06-16.
  4. ^ "Iconic Mural Arts Lofts Receives $16.2 Million Construction Loan for Historic Renovation Plans". MultifamilyBiz.com. February 15, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  5. ^ "Meg Saligman: Common Threads 1998". megsaligman.com. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
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