Captured in Time
“An old fashioned Christmas from an old fashioned crowd.”
It doesn’t quite look like a Christmas card. But it is!
At Christmas season of 1986, the Community of Spring Garden Street, near Center City Philadelphia, wanted their community's Christmas card to mimic vintage photo poses. Their version — complete with stern demeanors, Napoleonic positioning of hands, and the donning of caps or hats—is quite entertaining.
Seated:
Brothers Joseph Willard, Kevin Erb (Director), Thomas Chadwick, Colman Coogan
Standing:
Brothers Hugh Maguire, Kevin McManus, Thomas Gerrow
The Spring Garden Community operated from 1972 until 2004. Most of its members worked within the St. Gabriel’s System or at West Catholic HS. One treasured tradition was the hours-long party hosted for Brothers and others every January 1, with Philly’s huge Mummer’s Parade as the main event.
If you know more about this photo you would like to share, contact Brother Joe Grabenstein (La Salle University Archives) at grabenst@lasalle.edu
