Ardmore’s history recognized by a statewide origin

From left to right: Kate Jiggins, president of the Lower Merion Historical Society; Nancy Scarlato, executive director of the Ardmore Initiative; Jane Murray, assistant executive director of the Ardmore Initiative; and Jeff Mellin, member of the Ardmore Initiative Streetscape Committee that created the designs for Windows into History.

LOWER MERION — The Ardmore Initiative was recently one of several organizations recognized again by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) at the organization’s annual statewide Townie Awards gala.

The Townie Awards are a tradition designed to recognize the Commonwealth’s core communities and individuals for creating and implementing projects, programs, and events that exemplify the goals of PDC’s community revitalization mission. Eligible communities include Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s nearly 200 member organizations, including Main Street and Elm Street programs, making the Townies a competitive awards process each year.

The Ardmore Initiative was recognized for its Windows into History program.

The Windows into History were installed last year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ardmore’s naming. They are a collaboration between the Ardmore Initiative, the Lower Merion Historical Society, the Lower Merion Conservancy and the Township of Lower Merion.

The Windows to History hung posters in empty storefronts telling the history of Ardmore.

Pennsylvania Downtown Center Executive Director Julie Fitzpatrick said, “The Townies are an opportunity for us to showcase our member communities and celebrate their incredible work in our state’s business districts and neighborhoods. Our Main Street and Elm Street community leaders work tirelessly to make our Pennsylvania communities places we are proud to call home, start a business, raise a family or retire. We are thrilled to honor 20 incredible award winners.”

The Townie Awards are part of PDC’s annual statewide conference, held in a different community in the Commonwealth each year to recognize that city or town’s achievements in community and neighborhood revitalization. This year’s conference, The Crossroads of Community & Collaboration: Building Dynamic and Innovative Partnerships, held in downtown York, was attended by nearly 300 people and included city and borough officials, community planning and landscape architecture experts, and dozens of Main Street and Elm Street managers. Attendees enjoyed a variety of classroom and mobile sessions, an evening exploring the Royal Square District, a ballgame at York Revolution WellSpan Park, and keynote presentations by Shaylyn Romney Garret, author of “The Upswing,” Anna Zivarts, author of “When Driving is Not an Option,” and Jess King, ED of The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement.

Founded in 1987, Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s mission is to enhance the sense of community, quality of life and economic vitality of Pennsylvania’s downtowns, traditional business districts and nearby residential neighborhoods.

View more on Mainline Media News