Women on the Walk:
Locust House Opening October 3

The Women's Center's new home at 3643 Locust Walk officially opens next week with an Open House and Reception on October 3, from 4:30 -6:30 p.m.

The celebraton continues on October 4 with a panel discussion, "Women on the WalkWomen on the Move," from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Annenberg School Theatre. Participants will include Michelle Fine, CUNY; Peggy Sandy, Penn anthropology; and Jacqui Wade, African-American -American Cultural Center, Austin Peay State University.

The building, known as the Locust House, will house administrative offices for the Women's Center and other student life programs, with a seminar room on the first floor for the VPUL programs.

The brownstone twin, built before the turn-of-the century, was an empty and deteriorating former fraternity house before it was renovated this year. Especially notable was the denuded front where the roof and support columns of a traditional porch had been removed by the fraternity.

In the renovations done by Voith & Mactavish Architects, the porch is restored with a difference: in the Victorian painted wood style that blends with the house, a winding ramp links to the porch and makes the building accessible to wheel chairs.

Contractor for the renovations was Unkerfer Bros. Kate Stillings, from Penn's Department of Project Management, coordinated the renovation of the three-story building, where the work included the removal of interior partitions, the metal window, and kitchen equipment, and replacement of the old rubber roof. Construction also included new windows and roof, new mechanical systems, upgraded electrical service and lighting, new fire alarm system and reconfiguring the sprinkler system.

The Women's Center began in 1973 and was housed initially in 110 Logan Hall before it resided in Houston Hall. The date of that first Open House, some 23 years ago was also October 3.

"The place has changed but the program goes on," siad Director Elena DiLapi.


Almanac

Volume 43 Number 5
September 24, 1996


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