This Jane Jacobs Walk will encompass different parts of downtown Scranton, observing architecture, streetscape, and city life with a focus on Lackawanna Avenue and drawing on themes in the recently published Jane Jacobs’s First City by Glenna Lang to consider questions around Scranton’s history, development, place and identity. The walk will begin at AFA Gallery- 101 Penn Ave, Scranton, PA and is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Registration is required at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JaneJacobsWalk

Architect and longtime Dunmorean John Cowder will retrace Jane’s routes to her neighborhood school, the potato chip factory in the alley, and other mom-and-pop stores she and her family and friends frequented. Discover some commercial sites and many homes still in existence today and learn about those that did not survive the ravages of time. Stories and information from participating walkers will be most welcome. In person. Author of Jane Jacobs’s First City, Glenna Lang, will join the walk.

Architect and local historian Richard Leonori, will lead a several block walk along Scranton’s main downtown street, laid out as part of the original plan for the city in the 1850s. He will discuss the origins of its beautiful historic buildings and the efforts to preserve and restore them. In person. Author of Jane Jacobs’s First City, Glenna Lang, will accompany him. Booksigning follows immediately afterward.