Philadelphia’s Lazaretto
Penn’s David Barnes to discuss legendary quarantine station on the Delaware River
Author David Barnes will tell the story of the Philadelphia Lazaretto, the nation’s oldest quarantine station … and talk about some of the deadliest epidemics in city history, 7 p.m., Wed., Jan. 17, at Historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church.
A faculty member of the University of Pennsylvania, Barnes teaches the history of medicine and public health.
Working at the Lazaretto since 2006
He’s been actively involved in the Lazaretto in Essington, Delaware County since 2006, helping preserve and interpret its history. Built between 1799 and 1801, the Philadelphia Lazaretto is the oldest surviving quarantine station in the Western Hemisphere. It closed in 1895.
Barnes, who has a Ph.D. in history from the University of California at Berkeley is also author of a new book on the Lazaretto published by Johns Hopkins University Press.
He’ll sell and sign copies of “Lazaretto: How Philadelphia Used an Unpopular Quarantine Based on Disputed Science to Accommodate Immigrants and Prevent Epidemics” after the program.
“Great Talks at Gloria Dei”
Part of “Great Talks at Gloria Dei,” this program will take place inside the church sanctuary. A Meet-and-Mingle reception will follow in nearby Riverside Hall where the author will answer questions and sign books for sale. For a modest donation, you can sample delicious gourmet desserts paired with wine, coffee or tea at the reception.
Admission is $10, which includes a drink ticket for a beverage of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Advance registration is highly recommended.
This program is hosted by the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation. One hundred percent of the funds raised from this event will go toward the preservation of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church and its graveyard.
