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BuildaBridge is an “incarnational” organization; as such, it is important that its facilities are part of the community it serves. In February 2003 Corbitt and Nix-Early purchased a 15,000 sq. ft. (1400 square metres) historic mansion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (in the Germantown neighborhood) that would become the BuildaBridge House. Ten fully-functioning apartments house BuildaBridge offices and a number of the staff, including the Corbitt and Nix-Early families. The mansion also provides affordable housing for like-minded people interested in urban transformation. The BuildaBridge staff has grown to twenty full-time, part-time and volunteer staff.
Currently, BuildaBridge is developing plans to convert the mansion’s carriage house into a functioning art education and therapy studio with space for a resident teaching artist. The Community Studio will provide a safe place for long-term mentoring of children in the community.
In 2006 through the generous contribution of a benefactor, BuildaBridge hired its first Overseas Program Coordinator. This has allowed expanded overseas programs that focus on Arts Relief and Restoration, Goodwill Tours and Cultural Discovery Tours. In addition, BuildaBridge will soon open offices in Malaysia and Guatemala (offices in North Africa and the European Union are also under consideration). These continental centers will assist local artists and organizations in engaging the arts in service to their most vulnerable communities.
The programs of BuildaBridge span the gap between a monocultural community and the “global village.” Through the arts, we provide young people opportunities to explore the world, to broaden their world-view and to mature holistically. BuildaBridge programs are open to people of all ages (with an emphasis on children and youth) regardless of race, national origin, color, religion or disability.
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The earliest records of the house on Greene and Tulpehocken, which we call the BuildaBridge House, come from land records in 1871. The following images and text gives what we have learned so far with the help of the Germantown Historical Society.
This is a photograph of the The Karsner Residence (or the Caroline Karsner Residence as in the National Historic Registry ) as published in 1901 Ladies Home Journal. Either Caroline or Daniel Karsner built the house in 1890.
This 1871 land use map shows the property undeveloped and in the name of the Estate of G. W. Merchant. Notice: 1. the image of the house with a front circular house. 2. The Second Presbyterian Church diagonally across the street (currently the Germantown Community Presbyterian Church).
This 1876 map shows the property now in the hands of Thomas Homer. Notice that the property covered a full block all the way back to Washingtion Lane (see arrow).
John H. Dy now owned the property in1889.
This is the property in 1911 during Caroline M. J. Karsner's ownership. Caroline M. Jeans was "a charming Philadelphia belle, and a daughter of Isaac Jeans, one of the city's most widely known citizens and philanthropists. Mr. Jeans was ranked among the wealthiests and most representative Philadelphians" (Prominent and Progressive Pennsylvanians of the Nineteenth Century, 1898, The Record Publishing Company). Daniel and Caroline were married in 1890, the year the house was completed. Here you can see the basic structure of the residence with porches around the front of the house.
The property by 1923, now in the hands of Clement E. Lloyd, Jr., has been subdivided and a row of twins appear to the north and a private residence (Montgomery) on the west side. A carriage house has been added. The house would change sometime prior to 1946 with the purchase by Herbert Van Hengel. According to a letter in tax and zoning records, it would have been Lloyd who converted the old single-family Karsner residence into seven apartments, enclosing the porches and adding rooms. We did find a news clipping from the early 1930's while making bathroom repairs.
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A History of the BuildaBridge House II Karsner |
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The Karsner House was completed in 1890, the year Dr. Daniel Karsner married Caroline, a woman from a prominent Philadelphia family. Known as the Caroline-Karsner Residence on the National Historic Registry, and listed under her name, one suspects the house belonged to her. Mantle Fielding, Jr. (1865-1941) designed the residence. Based on comments in his obituary 1918, Daniel gave up his medical practice shortly after the two were married to pursue homeopathic medicine. Below are pictures and information gathered with the help of the Germantown Historical Society.
Rev. Charles Karsner was a minister in the Methodist Church and a graduate of Jefferson Medical College. He came to Germantown in 1863 and was the pastor of the Haines Street Methodist Church, later the First Methodist Church. He had four sons, three of who were doctors, including Daniel below. Rev. Karsner lived for a time at 5623 Germantown Avenue and died suddenly at Ocian Grove in 1883.
Daniel Karsner (1842-1918) was a physician. His obituary in 1918 provides clues to his life. He married well in 1890 to Caroline M. Jeans and soon therafter gave up his medical practice and entered into homoeopathy. He later become a board member of Hahnemann College Hospital. He continued to promote and practice homoeopathic medicine, demonstrating good business skills. He was considered a prominent man in the professional and social life of Philadelphia. (Prominent and Progressive Pennsylvanians of the Nineteenth Century. The Record Publishing Company, 1898, Volume I 282-284.)
Dr. Daniel Karsner Dead: Was One of Four Brothers Who Served in the Civil War
Dr. Daniel Karsner, one of four brothers of whom served in the Civil War, died last Friday at his home, 205 West Tulpehocken Street. Death was due to paralysis, he having sustained a stroke two days before.
Dr. Karsner was the son of Rev. Dr. Charles W. Karsner, who was the pastor of the Haines Street Methodist ...Dr. Daniel Karsner gave up practice of his profession about twenty-five years ago.
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A History of the BI House III Van Hengel |
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In 1946 Hiebert J. Van Hengel purchased the Karsner Residence. The information below is based on a letter we found in the city tax offices. The lot map shows additions to the building. He implies that the previous owner had converted the building to apartments.
Notice in the map above that a driveway has been added to the Greene Street side of the house reading "APTS". The Porte Cochere was also added. We suspect the large white columns from the enclosed porches where as the foundation columns for the Porte.
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