On one block of the village stands the home where a legendary contralto, known not only for her voice but also for her pivotal role in social change, was born 111 years ago.
On another stands the house the singer bought in 1924 and owned for 69 years.
Just across the street is the church where she developed her commanding vocal range by practicing over and over each part of her choir's songs. And not far from there is a recreation center that bears her famous name.
The singer was Marian Anderson. The village - a 14-square-block stretch from Broad to 21st Streets, Bainbridge to Christian Streets - is the Marian Anderson Heritage Village.
By virtue of Anderson's achievements, the village - which gained official recognition from the city in November - should be a celebrated attraction in South Philadelphia. Tourists from around the world have come to see it, and last year a BBC reporter visited for a story.
Yet despite the international attention, relatively few Philadelphians have gone to see it.
A major factor may be a lack of publicity, officials say.
"Because of the lack of finances, we're unable to do a complete marketing campaign and advertising campaign," said Phyllis Sims, curator of the Marian Anderson Historical Society, which runs the village.
Sims has a marketing wish list: bus signs, hotel brochures and airport advertisements. But high maintenance costs at several of the properties have sapped the society's funds, making advertising a challenge. Even the street-sign banners hanging in the village are in short supply and cost $300 each.
Sims, a longtime photographer and writer, runs the society with Blanche Burton-Lyles, a pianist whose career was nurtured by Anderson decades ago.
"Both Blanche and I are artists, so we're not really business people," Sims said. "The reason why we have survived for the past 10 years is because we do it the old-fashioned way they did back in Marian Anderson's day. Just nickel-and-diming it."
Sims and Burton-Lyles have relied on the help of volunteers, including Cheryl Gay, 60, a longtime friend.
"They always need help," Gay said. "Anything with historical buildings or museums, they always need help."
The society began putting the village together in 1998 with the acquisition of Anderson's home at Catharine and Martin Streets. The house was converted into the Marian Anderson Residence Museum, with photographs, old records, and other artifacts from Anderson's life on display.
