Charles Reed Gardner(1901 - 1974) was born and raised on Carlisle Street in North Philadelphia, PA along with six brothers and sisters. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy for the Fine Arts and went on to participate in the WPA. After marrying Alice R. Grosch of Lititz, PA, and starting his own family, he moved from Carlisle Street to a home whose main structure was built in 1812, but the area he used as a studio was built in 1741. It was located on a spot along the Perkiomen River canal path below Green Lane Park. He carried on his career as an illustrator and artist at their home in Salford, Montgomery County, PA.