Deen Kogan

Society Hill Playhouse is the reason that Deen (1930-2018) and Jay Kogan bought 242 Delancey Street in 1965. The Kogans had owned and run the Playhouse at 507 S. Eighth Street since 1959. They needed a larger residence, one within walking distance of the theater. They came, in part, at the urging of Ben Schoenfeld, whom they knew from their student days at Temple University and who owned a couple of houses in Society Hill.

Deen describes the original configuration of the property at 242 Delancey Street and how it was divided by the estate of the original owner, a sea captain. The Kogans bought it from a Mr. Golganski, who had rehabbed the façade to comply with Redevelopment Authority requirements. The Kogans put in a new kitchen and a couple of new bathrooms, and Deen describes some other changes they made to the property.

Deen talks about the Society Hill Playhouse and where it fit within the history of American theater. In discussing the neighborhood, she says she never felt threatened – despite an attempted burglary of their house, which was foiled by their two Dobermans.

She enjoyed encounters with other neighbors, including Richardson Dilworth, who walked their dogs in the vacant block between Front and Second Streets. She thinks Society Hill is a great place to raise children and has seen two generations of children grow up there. She also remembers the block parties that the residents of the 200 block of Delancey Street held periodically for themselves, with everyone contributing to the menu. For her, Joan Putney’s cinnamon buns were particularly memorable.

Transcript

DS:      This is an interview with Deen Kogan. The address is 242 Delancey Street in Philadelphia. The date is July 21, 2009, and the interviewer is Dorothy Stevens.

DS:      Deen, I would like you to tell me when did you come to Society Hill?

DK:     We bought the house on November 5, 1965, and we had originally – we were looking to move – we were on – maybe you should interview Tonka [her dog].

[Tape is turned off, then on again]    

            We lived on Panama Street for years. As you might know, I have the Society Hill Playhouse. That’s at Eighth Street, Eighth and Lombard. My husband was also with the city so it helped determine where we lived. (1:00)

Read Full Transcript

© 2009 Project Philadelphia 19106™. All rights reserved.

About the Interview

Interviewer
Dorothy Stevens
Transcriber
Cynthia J. Eiseman
Interview Location
242 Delancey Street
Interview Date
July 21, 2009
Interviewee
Kogan, Deen
Narrator Type
Redeveloper - Restoration
Oral History Sources