Saturday, February 2, 2019

Philadelphia and the Birth of Airmail

An Illustrated Lecture by

Fred Moore, Historian, Northeast Philadelphia History Network

With American forces still fighting in World War I, the famous U S Army Air Service Curtiss “Jenny” trainer planes were assigned to a new mission: Deliver the mail on a regular schedule between New York, Philadelphia, and Washington. Army pilots made history when the very first airmail was delivered from New York to Philadelphia,  May 15, 1918. The Washington-bound airmail took off in front of throngs of officials and excited citizens who came in Model T’s, farm wagons, and on horseback to Bustleton Airfield, located at today’s Red Lion Rd. and Haldeman Ave. Airmail instantly became an integral part of communications. Commercial aviation was born.

Fred Moore is an historian with the Northeast Philadelphia History Network, president of the trustees of Lower Dublin Academy, treasurer of Pennepack Baptist Historical Foundation and past president of Holmesburg Civic Association. Fred is a retired chemical engineer with Rohm and Haas Co. and a consultant on the history of Northeast Philadelphia.

Bustleton Airfield today is a shopping center, housing development, and a recreational field.

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DATE & TIME: Saturday, February 2, 2019

5:30 Cash Bar 6:00 Buffet    7:00 Program

PLACE: Gallo’s Seafood Restaurant, 8101 Roosevelt Blvd., Phila., PA 19152

The restaurant is on the east side of the Boulevard (use far right lane) at Stanwood St., one block north of Rhawn Ave. Free parking is available. Accessible by SEPTA bus routes 1,14, 20, 50.

DINNER SELECTION:

Garden salad, 1. Honey soy glazed salmon, 2. Gallo’s lump crab cakes, 3. Chicken marsala, 4. Penne with pancetta and tomato vodka cream sauce, garlic & herb roasted potatoes, fresh vegetables, warm apple cobbler & vanilla ice cream.

COST: $35 per person. Send check by January 26th, payable to OE/SIA

MAIL TO: Tom Brady, 2024 Glendale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152-4013

215-518-8038                   tabradyjr43@gmail.com

_______________________________________________________________________________

NAME:_______________________________________ PHONE:_______________________

EMAIL:_____________________________________

No. of Reservations @ $35 ea. = Amount enclosed $_______  DEADLINE: JANUARY 26th

Dinner Selection(s)  

 Salmon ______   Crab cakes ______  Chicken ______  Penne ______