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Listen to the speeches at the presentation [3mb, mp3 format]

Watch a brief video of the unveiling [3pg format]

September 14, 2006

The Ed Bacon Foundation and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Dedicate a State Historical Marker Honoring Edmund N. Bacon

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Historical Marker Honoring Edmund N. Bacon

On Wednesday, September 13th, at the northwest corner of 15th Street and J.F.K. Boulevard, by Philadelphia's LOVE Park, the Ed Bacon Foundation and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission dedicated a state historical marker honoring Edmund N. Bacon, the city's world-renowned former planning director. Over 200 were in attendance.

Speakers at the ceremony were Wayne S. Spilove, Chairman of PHMC; Gregory Heller, President of the Ed Bacon Foundation; State Representative Mark B. Cohen; Governor Edward G. Rendell; and Ed Bacon's daughters, Elinor Bacon and Hilda Bacon.

Also in attendance were Mayor John F. Street; State Representative Babette Josephs; PHMC Commissioner Janet Klein; and Thomas Chapman, Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.

Additionally, Bacon's longtime secretary, Agnes Kelly, traveled from West Virginia to attend, and was recognized at the ceremony.

The text of the marker reads: "Edmund N. Bacon (1910-2005) Internationally known urban planner, his design concepts shaped Philadelphia's city landscape. As city planning director, 1949 to 1970, his legacy includes Penn Center, Market East, Society Hill, the Far Northeast, Yorktown, and LOVE Park here."

Governor Rendell: "When Ed Bacon came on the scene as our city planner, this city needed vision, it needed creativity, it needed innovation. Ed Bacon gave us all of that and more. He transformed the city."

Representative Cohen: "Ed really believed it was possible to change things...that change could be for the better, that change could be responsible, and that change was not to be feared."

Gregory Heller: "Ed's role was not as an architect; he did not design these buildings or this plaza. Instead he inspired their creation. His design concepts became the underlying force that shaped our city landscape."

The location of the marker is significant as LOVE Park was Bacon's earliest design for Philadelphia, part of his 1932 college thesis. It is also near Penn Center, which Bacon was heavily involved in creating.

Representative Cohen noted in his remarks the location's other significance as a mecca of skateboarding. Near the end of his life, Bacon was outspokenly opposed to the City's ban on the sport at LOVE Park.

Representative Cohen said, "This was a major achievement for Philadelphia. We had right across from City Hall a major skateboard capital...Ed Bacon proudly proclaimed that this was a good thing."

The ceremony was followed by a reception hosted by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.

Pictures from the Dedication

Click pictures for enlargements

Over 200 in attendance.	Agnes Kelly, Bacon's Secretary for 11 years.
Wayne S. Spilove, Chairman of PHMC.	Gregory Heller, President of the Ed Bacon Foundation.
State Representative Mark B. Cohen.	Governor Edward G. Rendell.
Hilda Bacon.	Ed Bacon's daughters, Elinor and Hilda, unveil the marker.
Elinor Bacon	Gregory Heller, Hilda Bacon, Elinor Bacon, Wayne Spilove, Rep. Mark Cohen, Janet Klein, Rep. Babette Josephs
Gregory Heller, Hilda Bacon and Elinor Bacon view the marker.	Wayne Spilove, Hilda Bacon, Mayor John Street, Elinor Bacon.