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!    

Founded in 1996, WSCL offers an array of activities, including informative programs and regular meetings organized around interest groups.  The membership year is from July 1 to June 30.  Annual dues for 2026-2027 are $10 per person, $20 per couple. Membership Form
Questions?  Contact . 

Evening Discussion Forums, Guest Speakers, and Potluck Dinner

Discussion Forums, a Guest Speaker Series, and an annual Potluck Dinner take place typically twice monthly on Mondays from 7:30 to 9:00 pm 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. All Hopkinson House residents are welcome to attend these events.

  • October 5 (Monday), WHAT’S AT STAKE IN THE NOVEMBER MID-TERM ELECTION.  Moderator, David Kurkowski  Info packet
  • October 19 (Monday), RISE OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST PARTY. Moderator, TBA
  • November 2 (Monday), PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY. Moderator, Lucille Pilling
  • November 8 (Sunday), ANNUAL POTLUCK DINNER. Featured Chefs: Hopkinson House Residents!
  • November 16 (Monday), ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIETY HILL AND WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST. Guest Speaker, Paul Steinke, Preservation Alliance
  • December 7 (Monday), COUNCILMANIC PRIVILEGE: How Does It Affect Policy in Philadelphia. Moderator, Gary Mucciaroni

Book Group

Meetings take place monthly, usually on the third Sunday, 4:00 pm, in the Upper Solarium.

  • October 18 (Sunday) – THE PLOT by Jean Korelitz
  • November 22 (Sunday) – LONDON FALLING by Patrick Radeen Keefe
  • December 20 (Sunday) – VINEGAR GIRL by Ann Tyler

Crime Novels

Meetings take place monthly, usually on the last Wednesday, 1:30 pm, in the Upper Solarium. 

  • September 30 (Wednesday) – THE CROSSING PLACES by Elly Griffiths
  • October 28 (Wednesday) – THE EXAMINER by Janice Hallett
  • December 2 (Wednesday) – JADE DRAGON MOUNTAIN by Elsa Hart
  • December 30 (Wednesday) – THE 39 STEPS by John Buchan 
  • January 27 (Wednesday) – HARM DONE by Ruth Rendell

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.  

  • October 22 (Thursday). In-depth discussion of Liberation (Suzanne Roberts Theatre) and other plays
  • November 19 (Thursday)
  • December 10 (Thursday)

REEL Group for Movie Discussions

This group meets monthly, usually on the last Sunday of the month from 4:00 pm in the Upper 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.  

  • October 24 (Saturday)
  • November 29 (Sunday)
  • January 31 (Sunday)