Philadelphia, PA – Cliveden of the National Trust presents “Journey in the Wissahickon,” a presentation given by Dr. David Contosta and Dr. Carol L. Franklin.  The talk is part of an ongoing series of monthly programs being held in conjunction with Cliveden’s Building Bridges: Linking Lives and Communities exhibit, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Walnut Lane Bridge. 

The presentation will take place on May 8, at 7PM in Cliveden’s Carriage House.  The program is open to the general public at a cost of $5.00 per ticket.  Members of the Walnut Lane Bridge Club receive free admission to the talk.

The illustrated presentation will focus on the bridges of the Wissahickon, improvements made in Fairmount Park during the 20th century, and the role of the park in the lives of community members.  For Contosta and Franklin, the discussion will be a preview of a book they co-authored coming out this fall which details the history of the Wissahickon.

Dr. Contosta is a Professor of History at Chestnut Hill College.  He is the preeminent historian for Wissahickon history and is the author of 15 books and over 100 articles, reviews, and scholarly papers.  Dr. Franklin is a nationally recognized expert in sustainable design and has been a professor of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania for over 30 years.

Building Bridges: Linking Lives and Communities is open daily from May 1st to December 31, 2008.  The exhibition illuminates a newly discovered collection of lantern slides documenting the construction of the bridge from 1906 -1908.  Designed by area artist Keith Ragone, the exhibit features drawings from the City of Philadelphia Department of Bridges, contemporary newspaper accounts, and rare photographs from descendants of bridge construction workers.  In addition, modern photographs and works of art are worked into the exhibition, including original work by artist Troy Sayers which highlights the bridge’s enduring beauty.

The exhibition is free to the general public.  Visitors are encouraged to join the Walnut Lane Bridge Club, which will allow them to get into all of the year’s bridge programs at a single, one-time $10 fee.  Bridge Club funds will be used to support ongoing efforts to clean up around the bridge and preserve its history.

For further exhibition information, visit the Walnut Lane Bridge Blog at www.waluntlanebridge.org or call Cliveden at 215-848-1777.  Cliveden is located at 6401 Germantown Avenue and is open for tours April to December, Thursday – Sunday, 12PM – 4PM.  Regular tour admission rates apply for Cliveden house tours.