While working on this building's restoration, Jonathan R. Distel made a very peculiar discovery. According to Philadelphia's historic records, the age-old building was listed as having been demolished years before. Jon not only corrected this oversight, but also discovered the original blueprints and learned that noted Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness, had designed the orphanage in 1911. It was one of his last projects before he died. The news of the building's newfound historical significance spread like wild fire.

With this new information, expectations were high when the cornerstone's time capsule was opened. Unfortunately, the historic contents of the copper box had suffered severe water damage. With great care, Jon took the waterlogged contents back to his workshop and carefully spread each item out to dry and be inventoried.

The artifacts included:

  • The invitation to the cornerstone-laying ceremony.
  • A vessel of water, a vessel of wheat, and a wreath of flowers.
    		•
  • 7 newspapers dated September 4, 1911: The North American, The Public Ledger, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Evening Bulletin, The Press, The Philadelphia Record, and The Evening Telegraph.
  • The builder's business card, James G. Doak.
  • 3 Odd Fellows medallions
  • The first depicts the Sovereign Grand Lodge on its face with cross swords, 3 links, and a dove carrying an olive branch. On the reverse side it says "81st Annual Session Official Badge, September 18-23, 1905."
    		•
  • The second shows Thomas Wildey with his birth date, January 15, 1783 and his death on October 19, 1861 on the face. His bust is signed by W.M. Key. On the reverse, is the National Semicentenial Anniversary of Odd Fellows head at Philadelphia on April 26, 1869.
  • The third depicts angelic beings and the words "Friendship, Love & Truth" on the face. On the reverse, Grand National Celebration of the 50th Anniversary, Philadelphia, April 26, 1869.
  • 1911 Coins: a half-dollar, a quarter, a dime, a nickel, and 2 pennies.
  • An Odd Fellows periodical, Odd Fellows Siftings.
  • 4 bound report manuals from the orphanage at 20th & Ontario Streets.


    • Armed with this new information, Jon researched archived newspaper articles dated the day after the dedication. There, he found front-page stories with actual photos of the dedication. The keynote speaker was the honorable John Wanamaker, the famous Philadelphian retailer who was himself, an Odd Fellow member. Mr. Wanamaker was presented a trowel by the architect and then ceremoniously set the cornerstone, which contained articles representing the three Odd Fellows tenets: Friendship, Love, and Truth.
    After the time capsule had been opened, a plumber working on the restoration said he knew of a local woman who had been raised in the orphanage. After Jon located 83-year old Helen Shirrey Authenrith, he sat down with her and recorded her valuable first-hand account. She provided Depression-era photos of the orphanage and recalled being very well cared for there, often falling asleep to the choir girls singing in the chapel. Her memory was so clear, in fact, she was able to talk Jon through a complete tour of every room in the orphanage from her living room chair.

    Upon compiling all these findings from city records, the time capsule, and Ms. Authenrith herself, Jon relayed them to the Pastor and his wife who were the present owners of the orphanage building. They, in turn, took the findings to government officials who, with the support of United States Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, gave the orphanage nearly $1 million in historical grant money to be used towards the cost of restoration. Imagine that — almost $1 million for a building that had been "officially" demolished for decades.