Public Programming and Community Outreach

Historic Strawberry Mansion Connects with the Community through Special Events and Community Organizations

Annual Strawberry Festival

The East Park Strawberry Festival is held every June at Historic Strawberry Mansion in partnership with the Committee of 1926, the East Park Revitalization Alliance and the Philadelphia Orchard Project

It’s a chance for members of the community and these stakeholder organizations to get together and celebrate the season. Come pick strawberries from Historic Strawberry Mansion’s garden and enjoy games, light refreshment, and music at one of the city’s most historic homes. This year’s Strawberry Festival is coming up on Saturday, June 4- click here to learn more!

Philadelphia Orchestra Free Neighborhood Chamber Concerts

The Philadelphia Orchestra works hard to deepen ties to Philadelphians and make music and arts education accessible to all people. One way of doing that is through its Free Neighborhood Chamber Concert Series, part of the orchestra’s HEAR initiative. Historic Strawberry Mansion is a popular venue for this series.

Our Community
Orchard

In 2015, we planted a community orchard with the help of the Philadelphia Orchard Project.

Community members (and native wildlife) are welcome to come and pick the fruit from a variety of trees. We donate any surplus produce to Philadelphia food banks.

Christmas at Historic Strawberry Mansion

December is a joyful month at the mansion. Besides being decorated to the hilt, we participate in events such as A Very Philly Christmas with some of the best-regarded music organizations in Philadelphia.

Lectures and Workshops

Over the years, we have sponsored events ranging from scholarly lectures to hands-on workshops, with the dual goals of connecting with the community and bringing Philadelphia history to life.

A sampling of past events:

  • Judge William Lewis’s Legacy: Two-day fête complete with storytelling and fruit picking celebrated 200 years of the legacy of the judge and his legal work on behalf of freedom-seeking African-Americans

  • Flavors of the Season: Celebrating some of Philadelphia’s best tastes for the holidays

  • Neighbor’s Day: A day of entertainment showcasing the many talents of the neighbors that live near and around Fairmount Park

  • Sounds of the Season: A holiday event including performances by some of the best-regarded music organizations in Philadelphia

  • Jefferson Davis Takes Philadelphia: Book talk with author S. Tyson Gardner

  • Trifoliate Orange Fire Cider Making Workshop: Part of the Community Gleaning Education Series featuring community teachers presenting on lesser-known fruits and herbs of the orchards

  • Remember the Ladies: Book talk with author Angela P. Dodson about her book celebrating those who fought for freedom at the ballot box

  • Freedom to Go Forth: Exhibit focused on the role Judge William Lewis played in the abolition of slavery

Plus – Candlelight tours, ice cream socials, beehive demonstrations, and more!