The Freedom Wall
The photo below was taken in Neshaminy Mall, next to the entrance to Macy's. But this isn't about Macy's. This is about those picture windows that were there before Macy's took over that spot in the mall. Here's the story...
When the Neshaminy Mall in Neshaminy, Pennsylvania first opened in 1968, the department store in that location was called Strawbridge and Clothier. The owner, George Strawbridge, was a well known philanthropist and history buff who commissioned these diorama picture windows be built into the wall at the entrance to the store, just inside the mall entrance. I always called them the "Windows of History", but I found out later they were originally named, "The Freedom Wall". They left quite impressive back in the day.
Each window depicted a scene from the history of Philadelphia, including the Benjamin Franklin meeting Neshaminy Indian tribe, the signing of the Declaration of Independence the Battle of Germantown, and others.
There were speakers outside of the windows, and as customers strolled past, a narrator could be heard through speakers place along the walkway, explaining the scene to the people who came to see them. School buses full of teachers with kids in tow used to arrive daily for day trips for a little history and a little shopping.
The best part was the magical way some of the figures moved as we watched and listened to the narration:
It sure made learning fun. But, alas; those days are gone.
Ever since Macy's took over the spot, after Strawbridge's left, the windows have gone dark. They haven't been maintained since, and I have just learned that Macy' is now leaving that spot after all these years after a futile attempt by myself and others to have Macy's restore them to full functionality.
What will become of those windows now is anyone's guess? I'm just happy to have been around to see the Freedom Wall during its heyday!
Recent Comments
18
Sure hope they come up with a solution for this. It would be a total shame it were to be destroyed. It could also be relocated somewhere more appropriate for it. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution.
Jerome
Too bad Macy are letting this fantastic wall crumble. Would make great PR for them to turn the lights back on.
I know. I tried telling them. Even stsrted a Facebook group. I got over 1400 followers. No that Macy's is leaving. I'm cocerned for the future of the entire mall.
Me too. A lot of malls are disappearing because they can't fill the vacancies anymore. Everyone shops online nowadays.
Makes sense to me, cheaper for stores and consumers. Maybe the wall will eventually be all that´s left of the mall.
I understand how you feel--I grew up in Savannah, GA--one of the original 13 colonies and the city has its historic district
During the Civil Was when Sherman marched from Atlanta to Savannah he burned everything in his wake but left Savannah untouched because of its beauty
It would be really good to have someone step up to the plate and take care of this and bring it back.
Did you happen to see the wall? It's not immediately noticeable since the lights are always out in the windows.
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Outstanding!