Mrs. Janet Klein, a Rydal resident and longtime historic preservationist, museum management consultant and philanthropist, passed away at her home on Tuesday, August 4. She was 96.
A graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls and the University of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Klein conducted hundreds of tours of the eight historic houses in Fairmount Park, her obituary said. She later became historic program director for the Fairmount Park Commission, was appointed to the Philadelphia Historical Commission by then Mayor Wilson Goode in the 1980s, and served as chair of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission from 1997 to 2003.
She also led the Comprehensive Historic Assistance Program for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the 1980s, helped create the Liberty Trail near Independence Hall, and directed the restoration of the first historic home in the Lukens National Historic District of Coatesville, her obituary said.
A former resident of Melrose Park, Mrs. Klein served on the board of visitors at Temple University’s Ambler campus and Klein College of Media and Communications, on the collections committee at the Union League, and as a guide at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware.
She was honored for her service by the Women’s Center of Montgomery County in 1999, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia in 2001, and named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania in 2000.
From her Distinguished Daughter biography:
Committted to enhancing and expanding an appreciation for the value of Pennsylvania’s historic treasures, she has been a tireless advocate for the restoration and preservation of historic sites throughout the state. She served as Chair of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission under Governor Ridge and has been a leader in numerous other organizations committed to preserving the Commonwealth’s heritage.
In 2018, she earned an award for service and philanthropy from Coatesville’s National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum, her obituary said. You can watch a ceremony honoring Mrs. Klein with the Rebecca Lukens Award below:
The Klein College at Temple was named after her and her husband, Lewis, a 1945 Cheltenham High School graduate and Alumni Association Hall of Famer. Together they created the Janet and Lew Klein Making A Difference Award for the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters and donated his professional papers to Temple.
A celebration of her life is to be held later. Donations in her name may be made to the Abington Police Athletic League, 1166 Old York Rd., Abington, Pa. 19001.
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Photo courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer