Find your home at PhilaLandmarks! 4 historic houses, each with a unique story to tell. "Like" us and
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Founded in 1931 the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (PhilaLandmarks) has actively restored and preserved four of our cities greatest treasures: Powel House, Grumblethorpe, Physick House, and Historic Waynesborough. We believe that historic preservation illustrates the value of what endures in our society, and that this inspires people to learn about history and engage with t
heir community. We respect the uniqueness of each of our historic properties, and believe that their different programs, priorities, and places in their communities create great value. We invite you to visit our beautiful houses:
Powel House, 244 South Third Street (Society Hill)
Grumblethorpe, 5267 Germantown Ave (Germantown)
Physick House, 321 South Fourth Street (Society Hill)
Today, Rep. Stephen Kinsey met with Executive Director Kayla Anthony to present a grant check from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for the Grumblethorpe Restoration Project. This $100k grant gets us closer to our project goal of $1.1M. If you would like to donate to this project and help us reach our goal, you can do so here: https://www.philalandmarks.org/donate
Thank you again to the PHMC for helping us restore Grumblethorpe so that we can continue our Grumblethorpe Youth Farmstand, as well as our various educational programs; and thank you, Rep. Kinsey, for not only presenting this grant check to us, but for also coming to Grumblethorpe and speaking with some of our graduated youth farmers about the work they do on our two-acre urban farm.
10/04/2023
Grumblethorpe will be at Cliveden for the Revolutionary Germantown Festival! Visit their table from 10am to 4pm to learn about the Wister family, what life was like under the British occupation of Philadelphia and life for those who could not leave the city.
Grumblethorpe (5267 Germantown Avenue) was built by German immigrant John Wister in 1744 as a country home. During the Battle of Germantown in 1777, British General James Agnew used Grumblethorpe as his headquarters. Agnew was mortally wounded during the battle, and died in the house. The house later became a permanent residence under Charles Jones Wister, Jr., John's grandson, who gave it the name it bears today.
This fall you can enjoy three local historical sites for a reduced price!
Use the link below to purchase a Ticket Through Time which gets you a guided tour at Historic Sugartown, Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, and Historic Waynesborough from September - November.
Learn about colonial farm life, a famous American hero, and a 19th century village all with one ticket!
Thank you to the National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), for awarding us $561,692.00 for the Grumblethorpe Restoration Project, through the Save America’s Treasures grant program!
The goal of this project is to provide new roofing and select exterior and interior restoration for Grumblethorpe and its Tenant House. If you would like to support this project and help us reach our goal, you may donate here: https://www.philalandmarks.org/donate
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), today announced $25.7 million in Save America’s Treasures grants from the Histori...
09/08/2023
08/26/2023
Come out and support our GYVs and the last farmstand of the season!
08/16/2023
Happening this evening!
Join us Wednesday to learn how we grow low-to-no spray peaches in Philadelphia! Walk-ins welcome, Sliding Scale Workshop in
Philadelphia Orchard Project
PhilaLandmarks
08/14/2023
Join us Wednesday to learn how we grow low-to-no spray peaches in Philadelphia! Walk-ins welcome, Sliding Scale Workshop in
Philadelphia Orchard Project
PhilaLandmarks
07/07/2023
Happy birthday, Dr. Physick!
Read about Dr. Physick's life and medical legacy in a blog post written by our Education and Programs Manager, Mackenzie Warren, for the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The blog spotlights a portrait by Thomas Sully of Dr. Philip Syng Physick, the Father of American Surgery, which is on loan from NLM to the Hill-Physick House.
Circulating Now welcomes guest blogger Mackenzie Warren, from the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks to discuss the life and work of Dr. Philip Syng Physick.
07/05/2023
Visit Grumblethorpe this 2nd Saturday, July 8th!
We are happy to announce free music with drummer Rich Robinson and , utilizing drums handcrafted from tree parts, from 1-3pm!
2nd Saturday House Museum tours 12-4pm
And 9:30am-1:30pm
07/03/2023
The Powel House will be open for tours tomorrow, July 4th!🇺🇸
*Please note: we will only be conducting tours beginning on the hour at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 P.M.
06/13/2023
Rep. Kinsey featured our Grumblethorpe Restoration Project and our PHMC grant in his latest email blast. Click below to learn more about what he had to say about the Commonwealth's support of this important historic preservation project.
We are also glad Grumblethorpe will be getting the upgrades it needs!
This week in Harrisburg, three pieces of legislation I introduced were voted out of three separate House committees and will now head to the full House for future consideration.
12/25/2022
Happy Holidays from the staff at PhilaLandmarks!
[PhilaLandmarks staff recreate the portrait of the Wurtz girls, relatives of the Physick family]
12/01/2022
We hope that you will join Tiny Dynamite at the Powel House December 9-11th, where you will explore the rooms of one of America’s finest examples of Georgian architecture and rediscover old holiday traditions, songs, and stories. Each ticket comes with a drink, and snack, and the show. You may purchase tickets here: https://tinydynamite.org/home-for-the-holidays-2022/
Come 'Home for the Holidays' as the immersive theater company Tiny Dynamite creates a brand new pop-up holiday experience at the historic Powel House (244 S. 3rd St, Philadelphia). T
11/29/2022
We hope that you will consider donating or becoming a member of PhilaLandmarks on this so that we can continue our beloved programs and our ongoing preservation efforts. Links to donate and become a member are in our bio!
11/28/2022
This Sunday, December 4th! Join us and the portait Elizabeth Willing Powel to the annual Powel Holiday Party from 5-8 PM to kick off the holiday season. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’œuvres, a silent auction, and caroling by members of the Orpheus Club of Philadelphia. Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/powel-holiday-party-tickets-441928218197
11/15/2022
Guess who lived in Powelton Village? Super happy to hear about this designation. 🎉
Powelton Village was historically designated last week, the largest historic district created since at least 2003.
11/11/2022
On this Veterans Day, we remember those who served throughout American history.
Did you know that multiple generations of the Wayne family served in the military?
Anthony Wayne (1745-1796) served in both the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), as well as the U.S. Army wherein he was appointed Major General by George Washington during the Northwest Indian War (1786-1795).
A descendant of Anthony Wayne, William Wayne (1828-1901) served as Captain of Company K, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry during many key battles of the Civil War (1861-1865).
11/09/2022
Join contributors of "Women in George Washington's World" for an intellectual salon at the Powel House this Sunday, November 13th at 3:00PM.
Tickets may be purchased through the link in our profile and are $15 for entry or $40 for entry and a copy of Women in George Washington's World. Act fast! Limited quantities of the books are available.
While in Philadelphia, George Washington was a part of Elizabeth Powel's salons along with other prominent Philadelphians. Participate in this salon with the contributors of Women in George Washington's World featuring Charlene M. Boyer, George W. Boudreau, Samantha Snyder, Cindy A. Kierner, and Lynn Price Robbin.
The contributors will have panel style discussions with audience questions. After, there will be wine and cheese reception where guests can meet the authors, purchase books, and have them signed.
10/31/2022
When you visit Philadelphia on the Road Scholar Signature City tour, you can visit the Powel House with our very own Ben Franklin, Mitch Kramer. Franklin was an esteemed guest of the Powels and Samuel Powel solidified this friendship with a silhouette he created of Franklin currently on view in the withdrawing room.
As former mayor of Philadelphia, we know Samuel Powel would say “Let’s go Phillies!”
10/28/2022
Thank you to Localish for coming out to Grumblethorpe to share our story! For more Halloween fun, come hang out with out Grumblethorpe Youth Volunteers for a special chance to trick or treat in the historic garden this Sunday from 4-6pm.
10/26/2022
Something spooky is happening at the !
Join us tomorrow night for the return of the Wine and Beer Party - “The Haunting of the Hill-Physick House” Ticket link in bio!
It’s sure to be a spooktacular night! 🧛🏻♂️🧟♀️🫀👻🎃💀
10/24/2022
Huzzah! Next Thursday, November 3rd join us for “Rum Punch and Revolution” at to raise money for our upcoming roof project!
Spend a festive evening at Waynesborough as we recreate an 18th century tavern atmosphere to discuss with local historians the social impact of pubs and General Anthony Wayne's drink of choice: rum.
Stations and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Jeffery Miller Catering (the menu looks divine). Specialty rum punch cocktails provided and served by Five Saints Distilling (fish house punch inspired!). Wine and beer also provided, tours of the historic house will be available and we will have a silent auction to help us raise additional funds for the project.
Ticket link available in bio! Hope to see you there 🍻
10/05/2022
Join us for a spooky night on Wednesday, October 12th at 7PM at the Powel House as Josh Hitchens reads from his new book “Haunted History of Philadelphia.” This collection of stories covers haunts from Old City, to Fairmount, and out to Chestnut Hill, and even features the Powel House! Books are available for purchase and signing. Act fast! Only limited number of books available!
09/23/2022
Grumblethorpe Historic House & Garden will be at Cliveden and their site will be open during the festival! Grumblethorpe was the historic home of the Wister family. During the British occupation of Philadelphia, the Wisters – who were Quakers – left Philadelphia; Grumblethorpe was then used as British General Agnew’s headquarters during the Battle of Germantown.
At the Revolutionary Germantown Festival, visit Grumblethorpe’s table to learn about the Wisters, those who couldn’t leave Philadelphia, and what life was like during the occupation of Philadelphia. Grumblethorpe’s house and grounds will be open from 12pm to 4pm. Tour the house and gardens!
Thank you to Heritage & Historic Preservation - NPS for awarding us $200,525.00 through the Save America's Treasures grant program for the Waynesborough Roof Restoration Project! We think that Historic Waynesborough is a national treasure, too. ♥️
This project will restore the cedar shake roof, stabilize the main block and porch roof, and repoint the chimney stonework of the roof line. The preservation work in this project is vital to maintaining the ancestral home of General Anthony Wayne (1745-1796), a leading general of Washington's army and cabinet.
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services today announced $24.25 million in Save America’s Treasures grants to fund 80 projects in 32 states an...
09/08/2022
Assessment day for Grumblethorpe with 💕 time to fix this old girl up. It doesn’t hurt that it is a beautiful day in Germantown, too.
08/26/2022
Please join us in the Powel House ballroom next Thursday, September 1st! Get your tickets today 🎻
Join us in the Powel House ballroom for a classical music concert by Filament.
08/24/2022
We're excited to host some of our favorites from Tiny Dynamite again this season at the Hill-Physick and Powel Houses! Tickets to their upcoming theatrical season are available on their website at tinydynamite.org 🎭
Tiny Dynamite's 2022-23 roster offers audiences the opportunity to experience theater with an accessible approach, featuring three special pop-up performances in collaboration with PhilaLandmarks along with a fully-produced production at the Drake Theatre.
08/17/2022
This Sunday, August 21st from 11am-1pm, join on a photo walk through Historic Germantown, stopping at along the way! All are welcome — you do not have to be a photographer to join! RSVP through the link in our bio to attend the photo walk 📸
07/29/2022
Don't miss Samantha Snyder's chapter in "Women in George Washington's World" about our very own Elizabeth Willing Powel.
Check out this stellar review from the Wall Street Journal below. We are so thrilled that Elizabeth's story is reaching a new audience.
A thoughtful, lively and scholarly collection of essays that look at the women who interacted with Washington or were influenced by his legacy.
07/21/2022
Night Music is coming to ! Join us for the third concert in the PhilaLandmarks Early Music Series as presents “Summer Serenades” on Thursday, August 4th at 6PM. Bring a chair and picnic while you enjoy classical music on the lawn.
Link to tickets in the bio!
07/06/2022
Thank you to everyone who came out to Historic Waynesborough on Sunday to celebrate Independence Day! We are so delighted that we were able to share Historic Waynesborough, and its history, with so many members of our community.
We could not have pulled off such a fun and successful event without the help of Jeffrey A. Miller Catering, the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution and their Color Guard, or our amazing House Committee members, volunteers, and staff.
06/28/2022
Come visit us for free tours at Powel House from 11-3pm on July 1st
In the evening at 7pm, the The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia will be performing a free concert in our garden! Bring a lawn chair and a picnic basket and enjoy ”Benjamin Franklin’s Playlist”.
Annual series of celebrations leading up to Independence Day, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
06/14/2022
We’re celebrating by joining for the challenge!
PhilaLandmarks has a long history of celebrating Flag Day. Here are early PhilaLandmarks members celebrating at in 1932.
We are thrilled to announce that PhilaLandmarks has been awarded a $100,000 PHMC Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grant for the Historic Waynesborough Restoration Project.
The Historic Waynesborough Restoration Project, with architectural plans from architect Daniel T. Campbell, AIA., includes replacing and restoring Waynesborough’s main block and addition roofs, porch roof, and bakehouse roof; restoring the soffits, cornices, cornice framing, structural stabilization on the main block and porch roof. In addition, adding modern structural support to the roof of the main block will ensure that the building is stabilized for many years to come.
We are super grateful to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for their support of this important project which will help PhilaLandmarks achieve the goal of replacing the roof to prevent moisture infiltration, to secure it against material decay and environmental threats and ultimately, protect and preserve the birthplace and home of General Anthony Wayne.
Thank you to the Society Hill Civic Association for their unwavering support of Hill-Physick House and Powel House. We appreciate your dedication to historic preservation!
The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks Executive Director, Kayla Anthony (right),and site manager for the Hill-Physick House, Megan Thibodeaux (left), receive two SHCA grants checks: $5,000 for the Hill-Physick House historic window repair project and $5,000 for the Powel House underground stormwater system pipe replacement project. (photo credit: Martha Levine)
05/31/2022
Opening this week!
Grumblethorpe Youth Farmstand opens this Saturday, June 4th 9:30am-1:30pm!
Make it your Saturday morning thing and support Germantown Farmers Markets. Eat Fresh, Eat Healthy, Eat Local!
Grumblethorpe Youth Farmstand is a nonprofit youth employment based urban farm and produce market with neighbors Philly Forests and Germantown Kitchen Garden Farm Stand and Plant Nursery. Support a local food system economy and nourish yourself this Summer at our local farmers markets.
Grumblethorpe is PhilaLandmarks Historic House in Historic Germantown with support for this season's operation, partnerships, and advertising made possible through an award from the American Public Gardens Association and U.S. Botanic Garden
05/11/2022
So glad to see Grumblethorpe featured in this article!
From Wayne Junction to stately Cliveden, these are the best sites in Philadelphia’s Germantown, plus where to stop for coffee, jazz, and more.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when PhilaLandmarks posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Videos
Hill-Physick Wine & Dine Raffle - Prize #4 Drawing
Prize #4:
-$250 DiBruno's Gourmet Gift Basket, including a bottle of wine
-$250 gift card for Williams Sonoma
-One bottle of wine from Italy
Hill-Physick Wine & Dine Raffle - Prize #3 Drawing
Prize #3:
-Selection of six (6) bottles of the finest Pinot Noir wines from around the world: Burgundy, France; Chile; Sonoma, California; Oregon; and, Germany.
The Drawing for Prize #4 will be on: Monday, November 15th at approx. 3:00 P.M
Hill-Physick Wine & Dine Raffle - Prize 2
Prize #2:
-A $300 voucher for tickets to any performance at the Kimmel Center venues: Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater (excluding the Philadelphia Orchestra).
-A $200 gift card to any Jose Garces Restaurant (including Volvér
The Drawing for Prize #3 will be on: Monday, November 8th at approx. 3:00 P.M
Hill-Physick Wine & Dine Raffle - Prize #1 Drawing
Prize #1:
-$150 gift card for the Starr Restaurant Group
-$150 gift card for Schulson Collective
-Plus, 4 bottles of fine wines: 2 red & 2 white
The Drawing for Prize #2 will be on: Monday, November 1st at approx. 3:00 P.M.
Filament Rehearsal for PLEMS 2021
🎶Tickets are going fast for the last Early Music Concert of the Season!🎶 Get your tickets now for Filament’s concert next week in the Powel House Garden!! Here’s a 👀 and a 👂🏻of Filament rehearsing 🎼🎻 Info and tickets in bio. #earlymusic #gardenconcert #oldcityphilly #visitphilly #historichousemuseum
Our second Early Music concert is underway!
Our first Early Music concert is on! If you couldn’t make it, join us for our next program on September 3rd!
POSTPONED! Tonight’s PLEMS concert featuring Night Music has been postponed to this Sunday, August 9th.
🎶Tickets are still available! 🎶https://www.philalandmarks.org/philalandmarks-early-music-series
On the bright side, at least it wasn’t COVID-19 that postponed this event.
Help PhilaLandmarks support the 43rd Regiment of Foot's encampment at Grumblethorpe during the 2019 Revolutionary Germantown Festival & Oktoberfest!
The British 43rd Regiment of Foot is taking over the grounds of Grumblethorpe and camping out on Friday & Saturday nights. They need hay to keep their 18th Century-style bedding warm & dry and firewood for the campfire during the chilly night.
On Saturday morning October 5th @ 8:30am, our resident occupiers will be joined by even more reenactors as they muster in front of Grumblethorpe for the march up Germantown Avenue to Cliveden to partake in The Battle!
Join the 43rd after the battle back at Grumblethorpe's Oktoberfest for celebrations and revelry.
#revgtown, #grumblethorpe, #RGFOktoberfest
It’s time! The incredibly talented The Franklin Quartet is back performing tonight at the Powel House as a trio with special guest artist Eve Friedman!
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#philalandmarksearlymusicseries #historichousemuseum #classicalmusic #earlymusic #strings #18thcenturysalon #powelhouse #franklinquartet #jamcatering #violin #cello #viola #periodinstruments #traverso #mozart #foundingfatherswerehere
The Musick Art is rehearsing for our first concert of the season this THURSDAY at Hill-Physick House ! The concert is pay-what-you-wish with interspersed educational commentary and a complimentary wine and cheese reception with the musicians. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/philalandmarks-early-music-series-the-players-fancy-by-the-musick-art-tickets-53657775852 !
#philalandmarksearlymusicseries #classicalmusic #strings #historichousemuseum #17thcentury #purcell #jenkins #gibbons #locke #18thcenturysalon
PhilaLandmarks Early Music Series: The Player's Fancy by the Musick Art
Our Early Music Series opens NEXT week! Catch a video of the Musick Art rehearsing for our opening concert below!
Come along on a journey across the pond, back east to England and back in time to the 17th-century. It was a time of brilliant musical fantasy, a time when violins, viols, and their plucked keyboard companions merged and mingled and gave life to music of incredible, even outrageous, beauty and expressive power. Join The Musick Art for an evening of these poignant, colorful, sometimes bittersweet tunes sure to engage the mind, tease the ear, and spark the imagination in the historic Hill-Physick House!
Feb 7th | 7:30-9:30PM
Hill-Physick House, 321 S. 4th Street
Pay what you wish! $25 suggested donation!
Chamber music concert, interspersed educational commentary by the artists and wine and cheese reception by Jeffrey Miller Catering.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/philalandmarks-early-music-series-the-players-fancy-by-the-musick-art-tickets-53657775852
The beautiful Hill-Physick House garden. Springtime in Philadelphia sure is picturesque. Philadelphia -- visitphilly.com #HistoricPhilly
By, George!
Don’t miss the last concert of the PhilaLandmarks Early Music Series featuring @franklinquartet tomorrow night! April 12th at 7:30pm at the Powel House! Tickets available here: PhilaLandmarks Early Music Series | "By, George" by Franklin Quartet 🎼 #stringquartet #classicalmusic #18thcenturymusic #historicphilly #powelhouse #bygeorges #kinggeorgesofengland
Take a look at the Hill-Physick House's BEAUTIFUL new roof! This restoration was a long time coming and we couldn't be happier with the results! Special thanks to John Milner Architects, Inc., John D Reynolds Carpentry, the William Dietrich Foundation, and the Hill-Physick House Committee for making this project possible!
Sea Dogs arriving!
General Agnew has died!
There is nothing wrong with your smart phone. Do not attempt to adjust your screen. We are controlling transmission. This is a INSTAGRAM TAKEOVER. @hiddencityphila #battlebash2017
Listen to our Grumblethorpe Youth Volunteer president, Michaela Benjamin, discuss the Equality Day event at Grumblethorpe on G-town Radio this morning. Her vision is for all, no matter your background, to feel like equals at Grumblethorpe.
We are SO excited to be partnering with @homebrewedevents to present the "Paris in Summertime" garden party at the Hill-Physick House!
Hope to see you there on 7/13!
(Remember: PhilaLandmarks members get 20% off of this event! Keep an eye out in your email for more details coming soon!)
https://www.facebook.com/events/143285359565315??ti=ia
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#hillphysickhouse #philalandmarks #homebrewedevents #summertimeinparis #summertimeinphilly #craftbeer #craftcocktails
Founded in 1931 the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (PhilaLandmarks) has actively restored and preserved four of our cities greatest treasures: Powel House, Grumblethorpe, Physick House, and Historic Waynesborough. We believe that historic preservation illustrates the value of what endures in our society, and that this inspires people to learn about history and engage with their community. We respect the uniqueness of each of our historic properties, and believe that their different programs, priorities, and places in their communities create great value.
For over eighty-seven years, The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (PhilaLandmarks) has played a significant role in the historic preservation movement in Philadelphia by restoring, furnishing and presenting to the public its distinguished house museums.
The founding of PhilaLandmarks is an interesting story. In 1930, the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects undertook a Survey of "Old Philadelphia" to document details of all the important historic buildings. Within the first few months of the survey process architect H.L. Duhring alerted Frances Anne Wister of the fact that the historic Powel House might be headed for demolition to make way for a taxi cab parking lot. The long-time owner of the Powel House, Wolf Klebansky, was infirm. His nephew, acting as Klebansky's agent, invited people to tour the house prior to its being razed. In December of 1930 they toured the house and found most of the woodwork gone, the plaster cracked and falling, and the rear of the house open to the elements.
Frances A. Wister wrote:
"The plight of the mansion, far from deterring us, aroused a determination to save it...rooms of noble proportions, and the last house in the "Old City" where Washington was a frequent guest. It would have been a crime to destroy this historic mansion where the feet of so many patriots trod; a place which was the center for all the important people of the time in national and local history."
And so on February 27, 1931, Frances Anne Wister called the first meeting of The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks at the house of the Colonial Dames on Latimer Street. Her purpose was to rouse a group of strong supporters to save the Powel House. In attendance were members of many old Philadelphia families including well-known names such as Biddle, Barnes, Curtis and Lippincott. The group quickly raised the money to purchase the house as well as the property next door for $30,000 in May of 1931. They also persuaded private owners to return original parts of the house, including interior woodwork in storage at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
In 1940, PhilaLandmarks took title of France's ancestral home, Grumblethorpe in Germantown, which had been owned by an independent group of 35 Wister heirs. It underwent a major restoration from 1956 to 1967, to become a museum focused on 18th-C Germantown history. Towards the end of the Grumblethorpe restoration period, PhilaLandmarks was approached by Ambassador and Mrs. Walter H. Annenberg about a house located a few blocks from Powel House in the now revitalized "Society Hill" neighborhood. Once owned by Frances' younger cousin Elsie Wister Keith, it was the sole-surviving freestanding Federal townhouse in the area. With support from the Annebergs, several Physick descendents, and prominent neighbors, the property was completely restored to the American Neoclassical style of resident Dr. Physick. It opened as a museum in in 1965.
In 1980 Easttown Township in Chester County purchased the farm estate of General Anthony Wayne with help from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. PhilaLandmarks became a partner as the administrators of a newly opened house museum in 1981, along with the Anthony Wayne Foundation and (later) the Friends of Historic Waynesborough.
We invite you to visit our beautiful houses:
Powel House, 244 South Third Street (Society Hill)
Grumblethorpe, 5267 Germantown Ave (Germantown)
Physick House, 321 South Fourth Street (Society Hill)
Historic Waynesborough, 2049 Waynesborough Road (Paoli)
Join us for a Ginkgo roast on Saturday, Nov. 12th from 1-2:30pm!
Come visit Grandmother Ginkgo at Grumblethorpe Gardens to learn the secrets of her smelly seed.
Now an annual tradition, join Grumblethorpe to celebrate and experience the simple process of cleaning and roasting "nuts" collected from a prolific ginkgo that may be the oldest living female specimen on this continent.
Noses will be spared this year, light in ginkgo seed production, while we gather enough for a whiff of a demonstration and chance to taste.
There's no scents in missing this free event with Philadelphia Orchard Project!
PhilaLandmarks Historic Germantown
🎃 Halloween Weekend at Christ Church 🎃
Tonight at 5PM: After Hours Evening Tour: Brew ‘N History for Oktoberfest
Tomorrow at 1 & 4PM: The 1793 Yellow Fever Plague in Philadelphia: Walking Tour (copresented with PhilaLandmarks)
More details and tickets at christchurchphila.org/events
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
Bring the kids to Grumblethorpe for Halloween! 🎃
Grumblethorpe Youth Volunteers will host a spooky garden and candy hunt with pumpkin painting, crafts and games from 4-6pm on Sunday, October 30th. 🍬
$5 suggested donation per kid. Free entry available, no questions asked, so don't be shy and come on by! Costumes encouraged. 👻
*Reach out if you would like to help sponsor the cost of candy and pumpkins*
PhilaLandmarks
Historic Germantown
Grumblethorpe Historic House & Garden will be at Cliveden and their site will be open during the festival! Grumblethorpe was the historic home of the Wister family. During the British occupation of Philadelphia, the Wisters – who were Quakers – left Philadelphia; Grumblethorpe was then used as British General Agnew’s headquarters during the Battle of Germantown.
At the Revolutionary Germantown Festival, visit Grumblethorpe’s table to learn about the Wisters, those who couldn’t leave Philadelphia, and what life was like during the occupation of Philadelphia. Grumblethorpe’s house and grounds will be open from 12pm to 4pm. Tour the house and gardens!
Independence Historical Trust is pleased to introduce our newest team member and Director of Development, Jonathan Burton!
Jonathan Burton recently returned to the Philadelphia area after living in Colorado while his wife earned her doctorate degree. While in Denver he completed a Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Denver. Before leaving for Colorado in 2019, Jonathan was the Executive Director for the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (PhilaLandmarks) for six years and managed the Powel House Museum on 3rd Street. He previously served on the Rutgers University-Camden advisory council for the historic preservation certification program at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities and is a past grant reviewer for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. Jonathan also served on the board of the Elfreth's Alley Association (Elfreth's Alley Museum).
Welcome, Jonathan!
🌸 Orchestra in the Garden returns on June 2nd for another series of open-air concerts in Philadelphia's most stunning garden spaces. Hear Vivaldi, Mozart, Handel, and more in 5 different locations throughout June.
Can't wait for year 2! Natural Lands PhilaLandmarks Bartram's Garden Christ Church, Philadelphia
Over 20 will be featured in , which include Reading Terminal Market, Hill-Physick House, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, The Woodlands, and the Stenton Museum!
Learn about these Wister Sisters in this month's podcast and their impact on Philadelphia: from SEPTA - iseptaphilly.com 's Broad Street Line, to PhilaLandmarks, and even PECO !
Grumblethorpe (5267 Germantown Avenue) will be open 12pm to 4pm for the Revolutionary Germantown Festival! Grumblethorpe was the home of the Quaker Wister family, who left Philadelphia during the British occupation in 1777. The home was then used by British General James Agnew as his headquarters during the Battle of Germantown. Visitors will learn about the people who were not able to leave the city, what their lives were like during British occupation, and are encouraged to take tours of the house and gardens. PhilaLandmarks
George Washington's Mount Vernon and PhilaLandmarks discuss the remarkable friendship of George Washington and Elizabeth Powel. The members-only livestream is now available to the public for replay.
We're connected to Powel House not only through George Washington but also through the Wallace and Maddox family. With the kind permission of Philadelphia Landmarks, reproductions of family portraits of John and Mary Wallace and Mary and Joshua Maddox that are now in the collection at Powel House are on view here in our historic house at Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites where their subjects walked and lived.
Watch one of our recent members-only livestreams with the Washington Library's Samantha Snyder and Kayla Anthony, Executive Director of PhilaLandmarks, on the intimate friendship between the Powels & the Washingtons. Click the link below to watch it now, and learn more about our members-only livestreams at mountvernon.org/memberperks
🚨 Due to the chance of rain, today’s PhilaLandmarks’ History of Plague in Philadelphia: Walking Tour has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 1. Please check with PhilaLandmarks for more information.
Curious to find out what it was like in 1793 when Philadelphia was overcome with the Yellow Fever plague?
Join PhilaLandmarks and Christ Church, Philadelphia for an educational walking tour highlighting the horrors of the devastating Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. You will explore the impacts of the fever in Philadelphia by visiting the Hill-Physick House, Powel House, Dr. Rush's House, Washington Square Park, Christ Church Burial Ground, and more!
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