Mantua

Mantua. 39th and Mt. Vernon. , Residents Who Helped Shape Mantua , Tim Spencer , 1959 - 1996 , In January 1984, Tim Spencer, a community organizer created the Anti-Graffiti Network to help address the growing spread of graffiti across the City of Philadelphia. The Network provided space for youth to transform their graffiti tags into expressions of art. Tim Spencer knew the value of mentorship resources; in 1986 Spencer hired artist Jane Golden and the Anti-Graffiti Network gave birth to what is known today as the Mural Arts Program., Both the Anti-Graffiti Network and Mural Arts Program have beautiful walls throughout the city. 2,500 murals have been created and over 40,000 walls have been cleaned. In 1991 they both received the innovations in American Government Award., North 34th Street between Mantua and Fairmount Avenue was renamed "Tim Spencer Blvd" by Philadelphia City Council on June 14, 2018 in recognition of his role in creating the Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia., Mantua Place of Interest , Engine 44 , 3420 Haverford Avenue , The Philadelphia Fire Department was founded on March 15, 1871. However, the first African American firefighter did not join the force until 1886. For decades due to segregation African American firefighters were limited to which firehouses they were able to be stationed., In 1908, Engine 44 was relocated to 3420 Haverford Avenue and became one of the few firehouses that welcomed Black firefighters. Engine 44 also has the honor of being the station where Lisa Forrest became the first Black female firefighter promoted to the rank of Captain. Engine 44 continues to be a community partner in Mantua. This Engine is still a vital part of the Mantua community today.