At its Annual Meeting on January 8, the Chestnut Hill Historical Society announced the change of its name to the Chestnut Hill Conservancy. This was the first event, and the first major 
announcement, of the organization’s 50th Anniversary year of 2017. Its Board of Directors selected the new name after years of deliberation, believing that it more accurately reflects the organization’s energetic work to protect the cultural and natural resources that define the character of Chestnut Hill and its surrounding communities.
The organization’s three core goals remain the same: to preserve Chestnut Hill architecture and balance beneficial development with protection of significant resources; to maintain the Chestnut Hill and Wissahickon Archives and provide for the discovery and care of community heritage; and to conserve land, protect the Wissahickon watershed, and maintain the area’s uniquely green character as the nation’s first urban accredited land trust.
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy name will be branded for a time with “and Historical Society” to underscore the organization’s continued dedication to all of its core goals of preserving architecture, conserving open space, and maintaining the Chestnut Hill and Wissahickon Archives.
“During its 50-year history, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy and Historical Society has protected over 100 acres of open space and dozens of buildings, placed over 10,000 archival images online, and welcomed thousands of participants in our many tours, lectures, and other events that celebrate the community’s treasures,” said Executive Director Lori Salganicoff. “The name change highlights the organization’s unique approach to this work through the consistent integration of land conservation and architecture preservation advocacy, and the maintenance of the area’s archives.”
“This change follows 50 years of work, and quite a bit of discussion by the Board on the name. For the next 50 years, the Conservancy is poised to protect Chestnut Hill’s charm and historic character as inevitable growth and development is proposed,” stated Board President Randy Williams.
Co-founder and current Board member Shirley Hanson added: “We created this organization in 1967 to protect and celebrate the treasures that define Chestnut Hill. I reflect on its work over the last 50 years with great pride and gratitude, and am delighted that the Chestnut Hill Conservancy now carries a name that represents its truly broad mission.”
