In late April 1938 progress on the construction of John Bartram High School was captured in this image by an unknown photographer.  Designed by Irwin Thornton Catharine, an architect responsible for many of Philadelphia’s public schools, John Bartram High School opened at 67th Street and Elmwood Avenue in early 1939. In 1986 the school was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Although Frank Hoeber recognized the building as an Irwin Catharine-designed Philadelphia school, this Ben’s Lens stumped all our readers.

Sarah Weatherwax
Curator of Prints & Photographs