In 1838, the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad completed the first rail line between its namesake cities, a landmark feat that would eventually link Boston and New York to the nation’s capital. The following year, the railroad’s board commemorated the effort with a 15-foot marble obelisk at the western foot of its bridge at Grays Ferry. Inscribed on this Newkirk Monument were the names of the four railroads that merged to form the PW&B, and 51 of their executives, engineers, and contractors. For years, the Monument held a place of honor along the Pennsylvania Railroad’s line to Washington, D.C. But by the 21st century, the obelisk was eroding and largely forgotten, until a remarkable coalition of government and private groups came together to save it. The Monument has much to tell us about Philly’s railroads in the Age of Jackson — yet some things remain shrouded in history. Please join us for a talk about the Newkirk Monument, and perhaps even to help us solve its remaining mysteries.
September 21, 2019 1:30 PM
Drexel Hill Methodist Church
600 Burmont Road
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
More about PRRT&HS
The Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society (PRRT&HS), is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, is a qualified independent 501(c)(3) Chapter of the Society. The Chapter was formed, by members of the society interested in the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). The Chapter strives to preserve the history and memory of the Pennsylvania Railroad operations in the greater Philadelphia area. It publishes the “High Line/Keystone Chronicles” magazine on an annual basis. The active information interchange between members and that offered to the public through our publications and internet activity, is greatly enhanced by the many long time rail fans and former PRR employees among our membership. Chapter members possess many areas of interest, experience and expertise… Please share this newsletter with a perspective new member and invite them to a future meeting as a guest!
OLIVER EVANS CHAPTER 
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