NEWS AND EVENTS: Activities

WASHINGTON SQUARE CITIZENS LEAGUE

Washington Square Citizens League is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to motivating Hopkinson House residents to become engaged in the political and social processes of the day. All Hopkinson House residents are welcome to join! 
    <  See more info below on these events.

Founded in 1996, WSCL offers an array of activities, including informative programs and regular meetings organized around interest groups.  The membership year is from September 1 to August 31.  Annual dues for 2025-2026 are $10 per person, $20 per couple.  WSCL Membership Form 2025-2026
Questions?  Contact . 

Evening Discussion Forums, Guest Speakers, and Poetry Readings

Topical evening Discussion Forums, a Guest Speaker Series, and occasional Poetry Readings take place on selected Mondays from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. in the Solarium. Knowledgeable Hopkinson House residents lead the Discussion Forums. Information packets generally are emailed to WSCL members about a week in advance and also posted here for access. The Speaker Series features local outside experts. Poetry Readings are presented by resident poets. All Hopkinson House residents are welcome to attend these events.

  • February 9, Civics Curriculum: What should a well-designed civics curriculum include? Moderator, Myra Kurkowski 
  • March 2, Documentary Film Screening. Vic Compher and Rodney Whittenberg, The Eagle and Condor Unite — A Story of Climate Restoration
  • March 9, The Arts in Philadelphia: Trending up or down? Guest Speaker, Peter Crimmins, WHYY
  • March 16, Poetry Discussion/Reading, Akyiba: The Return. Poet and HH Resident, Robert Coles
  • March 23, Latest Developments in AI: Will it destroy society or save it? Moderator, Frank Niepold 
  • March 30, Men’s Health in the United States. Guest Speaker, Derek Griffith, PhD The Real Face of Men’s Health
  • April 13, Cryptocurrency: How does it work? Is it safe? Guest Speaker, Sangita Gazi, Fellow, The Wharton School 
  • April 20, Poetry Reading. Poet and HH Resident, Ernest Yates
  • On hold: Pop-Up Discussion on Iran War: Bring an article to discuss. Moderator, David Kurkowski
  • April 27, China-US Relations: What are the dynamics under Trump? Moderator, Lynn Miller Info packet
  • May 4, Climate Change: How it might affect you and what we can do about it? Moderator, Bill Stigliani
  • May 18, Supreme Court Cases on the 2026 Docket. Moderator, David Kurkowski
  • June 1, National Service: Should it be required of all 18-year-olds? Moderator, Barbara Gold
  • Councilmanic Prerogative: How does it affect public policy in Philadelphia? Moderator, Gary Mucciaroni  (Postponed until a later date)   Info packet  

WSCL Book & Crime Novels Groups

BOOK GROUP (General), Sunday, 4:30 pm, Solarium
Meetings take place monthly, usually on the second Sunday.

  • January 11 – The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
  • February 8 –  Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
  • March 8 – The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
  • April 12 – Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
  • May 24 – All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley

CRIME NOVELS, Wednesday, 1:30 pm, Library
Meetings take place monthly, usually on the third Wednesday. 

  • January 21 – Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
  • February 18 – The Disappeared by Kristina Ohlsson 
  • March 18 – Slow Horses by Mick Herron
  • April 15 – The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
  • May 20 – The Soul Thief by Charles Baxter
  • June 17 – Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet

CURTAIN UP!  WSCL Theatre Discussion Group

Theatre-lovers meet monthly on the third Thursday from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) to discuss shows attended, do live readings, interact with guest speakers, take field trips, and more. The group meets in the upper Solarium unless otherwise noted.  

  • January 22
  • February 19 
  • March 19
  • May 14 – Discussion includes plays recently seen and plans for next year 

REEL Group for Movie Discussions

This group meets monthly, usually on the second Sunday of the month from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the  Solarium. Group participants vote on the film to discuss based on a selection of movies playing at Landmark Ritz 5 or Philadelphia Film Society Bourse theater or, alternatively, available to stream.  

  • February 15 – BLUE MOON
  • March 15 – SENTIMENTAL VALUE
  • April 19 – THE CHRISTOPHERS
  • May 17 – Movie TBA May 13
  • June 21 – Movie TBA June 17

 Additional activities TBA!