When William Penn founded Philadelphia, his “green country town,” in 1682 he could not have foreseen what an extraordinary success it would soon become. By 1750, Philadelphia was one of the most populated, wealthy and commercially active cities in the British Empire, reputedly second only to London in population.

The city’s success was built on trade, fostered by its deep-water harbor that allowed easy trans-Atlantic shipping to England and the Caribbean, as well as the westward-leading land routes to the burgeoning frontier. The merchants who engaged in Philadelphia’s trade and the politicians who oversaw the city’s development prospered greatly. They spent much of their wealth on grand public buildings such as Christ Church (built 1727–1744) and the State House (now known as Independence Hall, built 1732–1753), as well as numerous, impressive private houses both in and surrounding the city.

Philadelphia’s wealth attracted many talented artisans who designed and erected its public and private buildings. They also created much of the furniture and related amenities for these buildings. March’s speaker will focus on two of these men. Peter Stretch (1670–1746) made many of the clocks used by Philadelphians to regulate their lives. Samuel Harding (died 1758) was a carver who stylishly embellished a number of prominent buildings in the city as well as the furniture that stood in them.

Donald Fennimore received his bachelor’s degree from Randolph-Macon College. After graduation, he served in the United States Air Force before earning a master’s degree from Winterthur’s program in early American culture. He joined the Winterthur staff as the metals curator, a post he held for 34 years. During that long tenure, he wrote many books, including Silver and Pewter: The Knopf Collectors’ Guide to American Antiques (1984); Eye for Excellence: Masterworks from Winterthur (1994); Metalwork in Early America: Copper and Its Alloys from the Winterthur Collection (1996); Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens at Winterthur (2000); Flights of Fancy: American Silver Bird-Decorated Spoons (2000); Iron at Winterthur (2004); Silversmiths to the Nation: Thomas Fletcher and Sidney Gardiner with Ann Wagner (2007); and Delaware Silver: The Col. Kenneth P. and Regina I. Brown Collection (2008). Mr. Fennimore also contributed to Arts of the Pennsylvania Germans (1983) and edited the Henry Will Account Book: A Record of His Pewtering and Related Activities in New York City and Albany from 1763 to 1800 (1996). Following retirement, he co-authored Stretch: America’s First Family of Clockmakers (2013). Mr. Fennimore’s current research project is about the Claggett family of clockmakers in 18th century Newport, Rhode Island.