"Charity, Change, and Community: Frankford’s Swedenborgians and Their Circle, 1817-1971"

Gail McCormick, MA, MLS, retired history librarian/archivist and current member of The Historical Society of Frankford board, will present an overview of her decades-long research on Frankford from the perspective of the local New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) church. Founded in 1817 as a “Free-Will Baptist” society, the congregation developed deep roots in Frankford but also was engaged, and often influential, in many city-wide and national issues. Its members made their mark not only on religious affairs but also on local business and industry; art, literature, and music; science and medicine; social and political reform; and even communication technology. The first volume of McCormick’s book will be available for purchase, and a related exhibit will open in The Historical Society of Frankford’s gallery that evening.