The Deep & Inexplicable Reach of Nostalgia
Anyone who adored the movie Ratatouille will remember the scene where the harsh restaurant critic tastes the titular dish and is instantly transported back to his childhood kitchen, comforted by his mother with a warm bowl of the same recipe. In that moment, he transforms from a formidable foe into an adoring advocate. That is the inexplicable power of nostalgia.
I feel that same rush with every post on the Instagram feed South Philly Time Capsules. Created by artist and teacher Sue Liedke, this feed captures the rich history, charm, and personality of South Philadelphia homes in a way that is equal parts heartwarming and joyful. Beyond her social media presence, Susan is locally celebrated for her acrylic sculptures replicating elaborate Jell-O dishes, creations that evoke the same sense of delight and nostalgia.
As someone who has owned and renovated numerous Philadelphia rowhomes, I can say there is something uniquely magical about these houses. One of my favorites was deep in South Philly on Camac Street. The home had original details so compelling that we scoured Philly’s finest salvage yards to recreate its historic character with a personal twist. Canary yellow bathroom tiles paired with a dusty rose sink and toilet; even the toilet had a built-in cavity for a potted African Violet, a nod to the plant’s mid-20th-century popularity.
Old South Philly rowhomes tell a story of generational self-expression in small, intimate spaces. Residents have expressed their style and panache in close proximity for decades, creating neighborhoods layered in time. Carlyle Street is a perfect example. Around the corner are iconic local institutions like Dad’s Stuffing, a butcher shop operating since 1923, and Cacia’s Bakery, where they will roast your Thanksgiving turkey in their old-world ovens while you take home all their traditional side dishes.
One of the most remarkable homes we’ve discovered is a rowhome recently renovated by Michael Garden and his daughter Ruby. They approached the project with reverence for its legacy. Every inch of the home was meticulously considered, culminating in a basement speakeasy lovingly named Squeaky’s Bar by the original owners. From the colorful pom-poms over the bar to the Nixon-era built-in TV, the house is a living museum of South Philly life. The previous owners, who lived there for 40 years, even chipped out the concrete sidewalk and laid brick to match the façade.
South Philly homes like these are more than architecture, they are time capsules, vessels of memory and identity. Each detail, from tiled bathrooms to local corner shops, holds stories waiting to be discovered. Dive into the photo archives, and you’ll find the fleeting, elusive pleasures of nostalgia at every turn. Truly, it doesn’t get better than this.
