On this 4th-of-July-Eve we're going to take a look at some Before and After

restorations in Philadelphia - the American city where the Declaration of

Independence and the United States Constitution were signed.

This historic home in the Powelton Village area

of Philadelphia was in dire need of a restoration:

Before

 After:

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Beautiful job!

These next few homes are located in

neighborhoods just outside Philadelphia.

Before:

 After:

Before:

 After:

 Link

Link

The stucco on this house was damaged beyond saving:

Source

As you can see from the inset photo, bottom right, a row of fire-

damaged historic townhouses in the Arbor News area was salvaged: 

Link

A young couple happened upon a Philadelphia church

that had stood abandoned for over 40 years:

 The church was scheduled to be demolished by

the city when the couple decided to purchase it. 

 After photos:

Source

Heavenly!

The Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia group

enthusiastically restored a South Philly home:

Source

Even an inner-city vacant lot can be improved

when volunteers pitch in to help:

Before             After

Source

Neglect, vandals, and a fire had left

this historic row house uninhabitable:

 With grants from Philadelphia's University City the new

owners were able to restore this home to its former glory:

Source

This before photo is almost too painful to view:

 But look at the beautiful after:

Link

The Betsy Ross house in 1905:

The Betsy Ross House today:

Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts in 1900:

 The Academy today:

The corner of 10th and Chestnut Streets in 1906:

 The same corner today:

A view of the Benjamin Parkway, center of the photo, in 1931:

The Parkway surrounded by skyscrapers today:

Link

Philadelphia is a thriving metropolitan city whose roots are the bedrock of

American history.  The City of Brother Love is striving to restore and

preserve its historic buildings while meeting its needs in the 21st century.