New Hope — an icon of openness, the most tolerant village between Provincetown and Key West ..... weirdly charming, bucolic, yet chic as can be. New Hope famously embraces everyone — but a certain quirkiness is expected, encouraged, demanded here. Camp characters, witches, and the gay community have made this town a great and interesting place to live. The town had in the pass welcomed sophisticated outsiders — artists, actors, poets, writers, composers — since the '30s, when Dorothy Parker and Moss Hart and their hyper-articulate friends used their Bucks County homes as Arcadian outposts of the Algonquin. Ever since, one never knows who may turn up, and has remained a colony for artist of all sorts. This month will bring about New Hope Celebrates, the town's pride festival of sorts, but also a celebration of the town diversity over all. I was with the town's grande dame last night and she had brought some fun pictures from the vintages days on New Hope's past characters, like Mother, New Hope's legendary queen, Monica Ray, drag entertainer, and cool scenes from pass Raven days, then called Le Camp, plus long gone hotspots like the Prelude and the Cartwheel. Since I was not living in the area yet, I loved seeing the pictures, and they will be filling a wall of the Raven permanently, all in the form of polaroid's for all to enjoy. Some of my favorites....
Ken is a regular, and god love him ...every time he sees me still tries to get me to spend the night with him.
Mother was famous for her demure head pieces. I was sitting this very corner of the bar when viewing these pictures this week.
As a regular here, you'll know the pool is STILL legendary in the summers....for pick ups, camp, and a good ole lounging.
The hilarity of Tinsel can still be seen up at the Woods Campground in the summers.
And after all these years, they have been able to keep corporate stores and branches out of town, keeping it all locally owned shops and eateries. The trans, gay, drag queens, and witches have also helped keep this place odd, but quaint. The only branch business is Starbucks, and from what I understand this is the least profitable Starbucks in the company.
I haven't been back to Philly in years, and I miss New Hope this most about being there. Fun vintage pictures.
ReplyDeleteI would miss it too. You can literally spend all day jaunting around and lose track of time, bouncing from place to place and just meeting people.
DeleteWith everything bad that has happened today, we must hold onto and protect places like this. I'm glad to see all of these fun pictures.
ReplyDeleteWe do. Just the other night I just met two wonderful trans women, and Daddy Warbucks invited them to dinner with us. We had a high ho time. And we had some great conversation. They were in town as one of the ladies has a trans group and they do a "take over" of the town and Raven. They never have any issues, even from out of towners. Just a shame more places aren't like this.
DeleteI had no idea New Hope's history or reputation. I was there once when I was a kid because my parents liked shopping there! (Wasn't there a Spode outlet?) So sorry I missed out.
ReplyDeleteMitchell, I could do serval posts on New Hope with it's history and illustrious community that's for sure. The Spode shop was up the road in Peddlers Village, a short skip from New Hope. It closed about two years ago I believe.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this post. I don't get out to New Hope much, but it is definitely one of the areas most guarded, secret treasures.
ReplyDeleteI want to be best friends with Bruce.
ReplyDeleteJP
He is quite something to behold.
DeleteAaah, a place where one dresses for dinner ... or brunch ... or a tea dance ... or just because they want to look fabulous.
ReplyDeleteSidenote: come this fall, our little hamlet will get its own Starbucks, though the town council wouldn't let it be built downtown. It's out in front of a local shopping center and I like it that way!
I feel like the Starbucks get most of it's business on weekends when there is more tourist here.
DeleteWho ever would've guessed that there would be this haven in PA? If New Hope can remain unscathed in this era of unchecked discrimination, there may be hope for this country. May your current council keep a tight reign on the status! HUGS!!
ReplyDeleteAnd even more surprising is it is a tad more Republican then Democrat. But Bucks County Repubs are extremely liberal.
DeleteThat is awesome. I would love to see sometime what the actual town looked like. Cracks me up Pumpkin is till around. Is she still bartending at that motorcycle bar?
ReplyDeleteWhat treasures to see!!!! I wonder if any of the guys we knew are still there. I do remember Mother being around on every jaunt to New Hope. One never knew WHAT would be her head piece next. We used to go to The Cartwheel and the Prelude to shake our asses on occasion. We must stop at the Raven this month for a water I believe. but I always get a wee bit nervous in the witch shops.
ReplyDeleteI remember one night being at the Cartwheel when Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were there filming a segment for their show. Not a fan, but they mingled with everyone. I can't say I have ever seen a place like New Hope before.
ReplyDeleteAny town that can keep corporate stores and branches out deserves an A+
ReplyDeleteIt sounds quite heavenly, Mistress, and I'd love to know more about the witches. Witches and I get along like a house on fire!
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures....definelty looks like my kind of town, and you even welcome the quirkiness.
ReplyDeleteTowns like this should be embraced for sticking to their guns. Looks like the residents were and still are colorful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post!!! I have never even been yet, and I find myself embracing this town. It's always cool to see vintage pictures of towns we know. Nice to see Mother kept it understated.
ReplyDelete"quirkiness is expected, encouraged, demanded here." My kind of town!!!! Loved seeing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a town you remember!
ReplyDeleteSailors, Easter finery and Lady Nutella? Doesn't get any better. It amazes me the New Hope can keep it's hold and let's hope is stays this time capsule.
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