Libby’s Legacy In April, Queen Village lost one of its pioneer volunteers—Libby Goldstein.
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ibby Goldstein’s grit and determination transformed a vacant lot on the 300 block of Christian Street into the city’s first community garden—Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden. In 1976, Libby initiated a spontaneous garden, and neighbors began to join her. But in 1983, the community collaboration was uncertain; the lot became excess property of the federal government. So Libby researched options, organized neighbors, and harassed local, state and federal politicians to establish the garden as essential: It had become a shared food resource for the neighborhood, including the Southwark Housing Project (now Riverview at Courtyard). Thanks to Libby’s tireless efforts, the land was not sold and developed, the city secured a lease from the National Park Service in 1985, and in 1991, the lot was deeded to the city. Citing excellent stewardship, it was to be used for gar-
dening in perpetuity. Recognized for this vision, Libby was asked to lead the Penn State Urban Gardening Program. She was also a Daily News garden columnist and served as President of the Philadelphia Food and Agriculture Task Force. The daughter of Socialist labor lawyer M.H. Goldstein, Libby was outspoken, and her political instincts came naturally. She was a Slavic linguistics major at the University of Michigan and also studied anthropology with Margaret Mead. After 34 years, in 2011, Goldstein retired from the garden. Fellow gardeners threw her a party, and City Council declared the date that year Libby Goldstein Day. Queen Village is eternally grateful for Libby’s vision, tenacity and dedication. Below, her friends, neighbors and fellow gardeners share favorite memories of Libby with us. ■
“I met Libby back in the mid-1970s and we became immediate friends. Libby loved everything and anything horticultural. She personified loyalty, determination, and love for all of the people and things she brought to life in this community.” -Marge Schernecke
“I first knew of Libby before I knew her, because of her newspaper column. I wrote her in care of the newspaper, asking about the SWQV Community Garden, and she put me on the waiting list. After that, she took a special interest in my plot. -Marilyn Ashbrook
Clockwise from above: Libby Goldstein in her salad days, a 1994 QVNA citation for outstanding volunteer commitments, Libby in the garden and tending plants, Libby’s Horticultural Society awards, and her haricots verts (Phaseolus vulgaris) entry.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ FALL 2020
My abiding memory of Libby was her response when I would consult with her about an issue in my garden: “That is not excellent.” I loved it. -Pauline Candaux
