Click for Home Page Springfield Township Historical Society 
P.O. Box 564
Flourtown, PA 19031
March 25th "WICKED PHILADELPHIA: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love"
presented by Mr. Thomas Keels   - See below
Wicked Philadelphia Book Cover WICKED PHILADELPHIA:
Sin in the City of Brotherly Love

Presented by Mr. Thomas Keels

Thursday, March 25th, 2010 - 7:30 pm

First Presbyterian Church
Bethlehem Pike and East Mill Road in Flourtown, PA

Prim and proper Philadelphia has been rocked by the clash between excessive vice and social virtue since its citizens burned the city's biggest brothel in 1800. With tales of grave robbers in South Philadelphia and harlots in Franklin Square, Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love reveals the shocking underbelly of Philadelphia. In one notorious scam, a washerwoman masqueraded as the fictional Spanish countess Anita de Bettencourt for two decades, bilking millions from victims and even fooling the government of Spain. From an 1843 media frenzy that ensued after an aristocrat abducted a young girl to a churchyard transformed into a brothel (complete with a carousel) this presentation will unearth a history of Philadelphia's most scintillating scandals and corrupt characters.

Please join us as STHS welcomes back Mr. Tom Keels. Tom will provide us a rollicking history from pictures and information researched for his latest book, published by History Press, Inc. Tom is the author of numerous publications, including "Chestnut Hill", "Forgotten Philadelphia: Lost Architecture of the Quaker City" and "Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries". A member of the Springfield Township Historical Society, he has spoken to the Society in the past on topics such as Philadelphia architecture and Laurel Hill.

This promises to be an exciting and educational program on an interesting topic of Philadelphia history. The public is invited to attend, and there is no charge for admission. Reservations are not required. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information call 215-233-4600







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