Valley Forge Survey - Kennedy Supplee Mansion

I actually started my survey of Valley Forge National Historical Park with the Kennedy-Supplee Mansion. I see this building every time I travel west on US-422 after passing through King of Prussia. I admire the architecture of this mansion that was built in 1855 by Alexander Kennedy, owner of a limestone mine in Port Kennedy, that existed in what is the park today.

Port Kennedy was a thriving industrial village in 1954, built around the limestone mine and the production of lime.

The mansion and First Presbyterian Church of Port Kennedy, are all that remain of the village of Port Kennedy, that today is cut in half by US-422.

In 1978, the National Park Service acquired the mansion through eminent domain. In 1986, the mansion was leased by the National Park Service to Kennedy Supplee Associates LP for fifty-five years. The KSA, LP restored the building and operated it as the Kennedy-Supplee Mansion Restaurant. The private company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2005. The mansion is now vacant. The grounds are becoming overgrown and the building is showing signs of disrepair.

 Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HABS [or HAER or HALS], HABS PA,46-POKEN,1--2

In 1959, the National Park Service sponsored a survey of the building by the Washington Office of the Historic American Building Survey. Above is one of the photographs from that survey.

Philadelphia Business Journal by Natalie Kostelni, Staff Writer

Date: Monday, May 29, 2006, 12:00am EDT

In 2005, the Philadelphia Business Journal did a story about the closing of the Kennedy-Supplee Mansion Restaurant in which was included the above photograph. Quite a bit of change can be seen from 1959 to 2005. 

In just seven years, since the closing of the restaurant, nature is taking over.

The details of the ironwork are still in good condition on the exterior of the building.

As appears the interior plaster work. This image was captured by placing the lens directly on the pane of window glass from outdoors because the building is justifiably closed to the public.

The trees are beginning to grow and cover the sign painted on the side of the building visible from US-422. I fear the mansion will be forgotten except by vandals and the occasional photographer. I hope that with the addition of the Valley Forge Casino and Resort within walking distance of the mansion, it will soon be put back to use.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Valley Forge Survey - Maurice Stephens House

Near sunset I arrived at Valley Forge National Historical Park to continue my photographic survey. There wasn't much time before the sunlight would be gone. The landscape is such that to the west were tall trees and elevated ground that already blocked direct sunlight to the low lying areas. I had to work fast.

I drove a complete circuit around the park looking for the best location to take advantage of the setting sun. By the time I completed the circuit, the warm golden sunlight no longer draped the landscape. 

Across the road from the Washington Memorial Chapel, I spied the house shown in the photographs below, Maurice Stephens House.
Although this very house did not exist during the winter of 1777-1778 during the encampment of the Continental Army, General Huntington's quarters were in a log structure on a farm that occupied this area.

The waxing moon floated above the tree.

I am attracted by the moon. I try to include it as much as possible.

There is quite a bit to photograph in 3,500 acres / 1,400 ha!

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Valley Forge National Park Photo Survey

History has always interested me, even though I never received good grades in history classes. Living in and near Philadelphia all my life, I have never been far from US history. Back in 1990 I considered moving to State College, PA to purchase a photography studio. I had severe historic separation anxiety. I never made the purchase nor the move. 

Today, I live about 8miles/13km from Valley Forge National Historical Park and I have never seriously explored the park. So I decided to do a photo survey of the buildings and landscape of the historic place. This very land where, over two hundred years ago, the ragtag citizen soldiers of a new nation suffered through harsh cold weather with very little food to be drilled into a trained Continental Army that defeated the well trained professional British Army and became an independent nation.

The park is large, 3,500 acres / 1400 ha. At least large by east coast standards. Valley Forge Park started as a state park. In 1976, with the bicentennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence looming, Pennsylvania gifted the park to the nation. 

There are many scenes to photograph. I have composed a few images in Valley Forge Park over the years.

At different seasons.

If possible I would like to photograph each scene in every season, at different times of the day (think Claude Monet and the Rouen Cathedral). This will be a long term project.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Chestnut Hill Best of Philadelphia Magazine

Philadelphia Magazine

Chestnut Hill, the location of the next dativer photo safari, was just named as having the best Main Street Shopping for 2012.  Come join the photo safari on August 11 starting at 9am and experience Chestnut Hill close-up and personally. For more information about the photo safari write dativersafari@gmail.com

Or stop by Chestnut Hill's FB page to check out what Chestnut Hill has to offer.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Photo Safari - Norristown State Hospital

Postcard image of the administration building

The dativer photo safari for September will be on the grounds of Norristown State Hospital. The first Pa. state hospital constructed in the "cottage" model, interconnected by a system of tunnels. NSH was designed in 1878-1880 by Wilson Brothers and Co.

Many of the buildings are in disrepair and hold a great deal of photographic opportunities - rusted iron, weeds growing out of everything and ivy covered walls. 

If you wish to become a better photographer, the relaxed atmosphere of this photo safari will be a great no-stress venue to learn.

Join the dativer safari on Sunday September 16 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm at Norristown State  Hospital. The timing will be just right for sunset.

What is a photo safari? It is a group of photographers on a walk in an interesting location accompanied by qualified photographer guides. Photographer guides supply tips on composition, lighting and exposure and customize the session to your level of photographic skills.


Learn to create better photographs while exploring the historic Norristown State Hospital grounds on Sunday, September 16, starting at 5:30pm.

For more information write to dativersafari@gmail.com or call 484-433-2282 today.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Photo Safari - Ninth St Italian Market, Philadelphia

The Italian Market in South Philadelphia has to be one of the most colorful areas in the city.  Colorful enough to film a few Rocky segments. 

Rocky Movie Locations

An open air market of stalls selling fruit, vegetables, live poultry, seafood and clothing, combined with indoor shops of cheese, meats, spices and of course restaurants defines the Italian Market. Although some of the Italian flavor now has Latino and Asian overtones, it remains just as colorful. When you add in the odors and genuine characters that work there, the sum is what makes the Italian Market a wondrous place to visit and photograph.

To give you a small tour and taste of the market, there is a two hour photo safari planned along the Italian Market in South Philadelphia on Sunday, July 22, starting at 9am.

The photographers will gather near Geno's Steaks at the corner of Passyunk Ave and Ninth Street. The safari will step off heading north towards Christian Street stopping along the way to capture photographic images. Guidance for creating better compositions, exposure and camera use will be customized to each attending photographer. At the other end of the market the group will have the opportunity to stop for a sandwich and a drink with Q and A continuing for an hour.

The images in this post (except for Rocky) were captured at the market last Monday. Monday is the only day of the week when most of the shops are closed. None the less, there were several opportunities for photographs.


Come on down and join us in South Philly for what will be a memorable photo safari. Contact:dativersafari@gmail.com

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Greater Philadelphia Photo Safari

Last post was about a flea market/auction I visited early July 2012. That place got me to thinking about 

1. my knowledge of such locations that are loaded with photographic opportunities
2. my desire to share photographic knowledge with other photographers to help them create better images
3. my love of food

After a few hours of additional thinking, I combined those three thoughts into one package.

So, on Sunday 22 July I will be leading my first group of photographers on a photo safari though an interesting location in Philadelphia. What, you may be asking yourself, is a photo safari? Let me elucidate.

A photo safari is a walk with a loaded camera. A safari, if you will, to create (place the word shoot here, if you must) photographs while being guided by qualified photographers. During the safari the photographer guides will supply tips on composition, lighting and exposure: how to stalk and shoot your prey (again, if you must). Your guide will customize the session to your level of photographic skills. If you wish to become a better photographer, the relaxed atmosphere of a photo safari is a great no stress venue to learn.

The safari will begin with introductions of the safari attendees and the photographer guides. As the group enters the wilds, the guides will help each photographer sharpen their photographic skills, help with camera knowledge and operation while answering questions that may arise at the moment. When the safari ends, members of the group will have the option to stop for a drink, some food and a period of Q and A. Later, the participants will be able to upload your photographic trophies from the safari to a private website for critique by peers and the photographer guides.

The main goal of dativer safaris is to uncover and develop your photographic skills. The fact that you will be exposed to colorful areas of the greater Philadelphia area and their signature foods will be what make these adventures clearly different than any other photo safaris being offered.

If you miss even one dativer safari, you will come to regret it.

Send for more details today. Contact at dativersafari@gmail.com

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved