Cliveden, a National Trust Historic Site
For Immediate Release
JPEG Photo Included
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Fink, Education Director
Cliveden of the National Trust
215-848-1777 x223
PRESS RELEASE
Cliveden to Host Going Green Environmental Forum
Philadelphia, PA—Wondering how you can affordably and easily incorporate “green” practices into your everday life? Join us at Cliveden, a National Trust Historic Site, on Friday April 3rd and Satruday April 4th for Going Green: Environmental Stewardship for Preservation and Profit.
Located in our historic Carriage House, visitors will hear a variety of perspectives on local “green” issues from renowned scholars and environmental leaders. Topics will include an assortment of subjects including: “green” lawn care, protection of local wildlife, historical environmental issues and the true characteristics of eco-living.
The Going Green forum will begin on Friday evening, April 3rd, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a wine and cheese conversation about Cliveden’s climate control project. Learn about the special challenges historic sites face when balancing sustainability and historic accuracy. A presentation and panel discussion with local museum leaders will be followed by a behind-the-scenes architectural tour of the historic Chew House.
On Saturday April 4th, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, a full-day of scholarly speakers will address a variety of local environmental issues. Mike McGrath, host of WHYY’s You Bet Your Garden show, will bring his nationally syndicated radio antics to Cliveden. His keynote speech, Get Your Lawn and Landscape off Drugs, will reveal money-and-time saving tips that will help to achieve a lush, green lawn free of chemicals.
Dr. Andrew Isenberg, Chair of Temple University’s History Department, will begin Saturday’s program with a discussion of historical environmental issues. His talk Environment and History: The Historical Context of Environmental Challenges, will focus on how past cultures have attempted to confront environmental problems.
Defenders of Wildlife Outreach representative Richard Whiteford will follow with a discussion about Climate Change: Things Each of Us Can Do About It. An environmental activist, lobbyist and winner of the Sierra Club’s 2006 Environmental Hero Award, Whiteford will provide tips on how to protect natural habitats in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Exploring myths about “going green” will be Barton Partners Architects Planners’ Director of Planning and Urban Design, Seth Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro will question the myths about green design and focus on the chracteristics of what makes homes and neighborhoods truly “green.”
During the lunch break on Saturday April 4th, visitors will be treated to a natural history tour of Cliveden. Phillyist.com Green Scene Columnist Lori Litchman will explain what Cliveden’s 6 acre property would have looked like in 1777 as well as the variety of plant and wildlife at the site.
Farmers from Weavers Way, a food cooperative in Northwest Philadelphia, will provide eco-friendly appetizers for lunchtime and discuss the economic and health benefits of eating locally and organically.
Concluding the Going Green forum will be a brief local field trip to Weavers Way farms at Awbury Arboretum and Martin Luther King High School. Hop on the yellow bus to see a food co-op’s urban gardens and nutrition programs in action.
Admission to both days of the program, April 3rd and April 4th, is $30. Price of admission includes speakers, demonstrations, eco-friendly appetizers, local bus trip as well as a reusable Cliveden coffee mug and shopping bag. A reduced rate is available for one-day admissions and members of Cliveden.
For further information about this program and to RSVP, please contact by email at: [email protected] or by calling 215-848-1777. A detailed program for this event can be found at www.cliveden.org.
Cliveden, located in Historic Germantown (Freedom’s Backyard), was the site of the 1777 Battle of Germantown. Though damaged during the battle, the house remains standing today as a result of the Chew family’s preservation efforts. Going Green: Environmental Stewardship for Preservation and Profit continues the Chew’s preservation efforts by providing a scholarly forum to educate visitors about sustainability and environmental stewardship in our community.

