An Oliver Evans Chapter Program
presented by Joel Spivak

Wednesday, June 2, 2021
7:00 – 8:30

Philadelphia, “the workshop of the world,” produced locomotives, railcars, interiors, wheels, and tracks. Some of the earliest railroads in the country operated in Philadelphia and left a legacy of treasures around the city.

Take a virtual tour and hear about Joel’s love of the railroad and how he developed a lifelong interest in the subject.

The book, “Philadelphia Railroads,” by Allen Myers and Joel Spivak, is a tribute to Oliver Evans, the inventor of the American “High Pressure Steam Engine.”

Chapter member Joel Spivak is a native of Philadelphia and has had a varied career in architecture and the arts. His community service is legendary, and has benefited neighborhoods all over the city. Projects he was involved in include creating the South Street Renaissance and defeating the Crosstown Expressway in the 1970s, the opening of Rocketships & Accessories space toy store in the ’80s, and winning the “Outstanding Achievement in Design for Affordable Housing” HUD award in the 1990s. He created and managed a Little League baseball team at Sack’s Playground at 5th & Washington in the early ’90s, and has created events for National Hot Dog Month for the past 10 years. In addition, he has written three books on transportation history in Philadelphia. He was awarded “Citizen of the First Rank” by City Council for his lifetime commitment to his neighborhood and the city of Philadelphia.

The program will be presented through a Zoom meeting. 

Pre-registration is required to receive the link to the Zoom meeting.

To register, please send an email indicating your interest to the Chapter address: oesiaphila@gmail.com