Historic Preservation in Philadelphia

The graceful Georgian-style main hospital building of the Lazaretto Quarantine Station (or Philadelphia Lazaretto) still overlooks the Delaware River. It now hosts administrative offices for Tinicum Township, Delaware County.

Paul Steinke, executive director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, will discuss historic preservation wins and losses 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’ Church), 916 S. Swanson (Columbus Blvd. and Christian Street), in the Queen Village section of Philadelphia.

His title: “Historic Preservation in Philadelphia: Successes, Failures, Opportunities and Why It Matters.

Steinke, a lifelong Philadelphian who’s headed Preservation Alliance since 2016, has played many key roles in the city.

Among them: general manager of the Reading Terminal Market for 13 years, finance director at the Center City District for seven years; and founding executive director of the University City District, for four years. He also ran for City Council in the May 2015 primary election.

More recently, a suggestion from Paul helped preserve the main administration building of “The Lazaretto,” said to be the oldest quarantine station in the western hemisphere. It now serves as a township building in Tinicum, Delaware County.

Admission is $10, which includes a drink ticket for a beverage of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).

Part of “Great Talks at Gloria Dei,” this program will take place inside the church sanctuary, followed by a reception in nearby Riverside Hall – where Paul will answer questions. For a modest donation, you can also taste delicious gourmet desserts paired with wine, coffee or tea.

Holder of a B.A in business administration and economics from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Drexel University, he also serves on a number of boards. Paul lives in University City with his husband and partner of 27 years, David Ade, an architect with a practice based in Philadelphia.

This program is hosted by the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation. One hundred percent of the funds raised from this event will go toward the preservation of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church and its graveyard.