Historically-Accurate SketchUp Model of Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, PA

Authors/Creators

Ebonie Remsey, Eastern Michigan University
Erin McCargar, Eastern Michigan University
Katherine Sample, Eastern Michigan University
Sean Bruursema, Eastern Michigan University

Document Type

Project

Creation and/or Acquisition Date

12-17-2019

Institutional Repository Publication Date

2024

Description

This project examines the historic residential street of Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, one of the oldest continuously inhabited streets in the U.S., dating back to 1702. Using archival materials, including the 1931 Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) drawings, historical maps, photographs, and other primary sources, 3D digital reconstructions of the Georgian and Federal-style townhouses that define Elfreth’s Alley were created. The resulting models capture the architectural features of the 32 townhouses and highlight the history of this historic neighborhood. The project used SketchUp Pro to create the digital models, which were compiled into a computer-based visualization on ArcGIS StoryMaps for public access. This project adheres to the principles of the London Charter for best practices in using computer-based visualization of cultural heritage and promotes both accessibility and sustainability by ensuring the model’s long-term preservation and access.

Format

3D models outputted in SketchUp; published in ArcGIS StoryMaps

Period of Significance

1931

Instructions

ArcGIS StoryMaps can be accessed through a web browser using the following URL: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/97d8089c781640e2bdc42d934447286c. SketchUp file can be viewed in SketchUp Pro (desktop application). Ensure that you are using the latest version for optimal compatibility.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

External URL

ArcGIS StoryMaps can be accessed through a web browser using the following URL: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/97d8089c781640e2bdc42d934447286c.

Institution of Origin

Eastern Michigan University

Source

Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS): A collection of detailed architectural drawings from 1931 provided by the Library of Congress, including floor plans, elevations, etc. These documents offered critical architectural data for the digital reconstruction. Google Maps and Street View: Screenshots of the buildings were used to supplement missing information from the HABS documents, particularly for textures and facade details. Contemporary views of the buildings were cross-referenced with archival material to avoid introducing modern inaccuracies. Elfreth’s Alley Museum: Archival materials were sourced from the museum’s collection, including maps, records, and limited imagery documenting the alley’s transformation from an artisan neighborhood to an industrial area. Redfin and Zillow: Contemporary real estate listings were utilized to provide additional visual references, primarily for roof and facade details where historical documentation was incomplete in the HABS drawings.

Paradata

Processes, Decisions, and Methods: The project selected Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, as a historically significant site due to its status as one of the oldest continuously inhabited streets in the U.S. Historical data from the 1931 Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) provided detailed architectural drawings of the Georgian and Federal-style townhouses. 3D models of the buildings were created using SketchUp Pro, based on the dimensions outlined in the HABS documents and other primary sources. Historical maps were used to understand the layout and transformations that affected Elfreth’s Alley over time. Google Street View screenshots and contemporary photographs were used to supplement missing historical data, particularly for building textures and facade details. Cross-referencing with archival sources ensured that modern imagery did not introduce historically inaccurate features. The final 3D models were compiled into a StoryMap using ArcGIS to make the project publicly accessible. Limitations: The models do not contain any interior details, and the rear and roof structures were based on conjecture due to a lack of historical imagery. Inconsistent building measurements between the HABS floor plans and facade drawings introduced minor inaccuracies in the models. Google Street View was used to fill in missing textures, but these modern images were not historically accurate. Software challenges in SketchUp led to alignment issues with some building components, and the slight slope of the alley’s terrain was not modeled, resulting in a flat ground representation.

Provenance

The digital model of Elfreth’s Alley was created using architectural drawings from the 1931 Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), housed in the Library of Congress. These drawings served as the primary source for the model’s floor plans and facade details. Additional historical context and data, including archival records and maps, were sourced from the Elfreth’s Alley Museum Collection.

Sponsors

Eastern Michigan University, Digital Heritage Preservation Lab, Historic Preservation Program, Preservation Studies Program.

Recommended Citation

Digital Commons @ EMU. “Submission Guidelines for Digital Heritage Preservation Commons.” Digital Heritage Preservation Commons. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://commons.emich.edu/cgi/ir_submit.cgi?context=dhpc&edbypass=1. Remsey, Ebonie, Erin McCargar, Katherine Sample, and Sean Bruursema. “Elfreth’s Alley: A Walk Back in Time within One of the Country’s Oldest Residential Streets.” ArcGIS StoryMaps. Last modified December 17, 2020. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/97d8089c781640e2bdc42d934447286c.