Congratulations to the Woodlands Researchers

Last Thursday the members of Professor Martinko’s Practicum class presented their research on the Woodlands Mansion in Philadelphia. The event drew a crowd of Villanova students and faculty, as well as a fair number of interested locals.

Nineteenth Century Print of the Woodlands Estate (Falvey Memorial Library)

Spread throughout the house and grounds, the students presented on the laborers and servants who inhabited the estate. From a variety of manuscript materials the class gave voice to the men and women whose lives were lost over time. From the stable hands and greenhouse laborers to cooks, laundresses, and house servants, the students painted a picture of an active estate and shed light on what we can learn from historic landmarks.

Hats off to Professor Martinko’s Practicum class for the hard work they put into their research and presentations of the Woodlands. I know I was not the only one to learn something about an under-appreciated Philadelphia landmark, and their efforts helped set a foundation for further research into a historic estate.