Powel House

Powel House Elegant 18th - century house museum of Mayor Samuel Powel and his wife Elizabeth Willing Powel.

Powel House is an historic mansion in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. This elegant Georgian brick mansion was built in 1765 by merchant and shipmaster Charles Stedman. When Stedman fell on financial difficulties (eventually winding up in debtors' prison), the house was purchased for £3,150 on August 2, 1769 by Samuel Powel, who served as the last mayor of Philadel

phia under British rule and became the city's first mayor after the Revolution. He and his wife Elizabeth Willing were well known for their hospitality and frequently entertained such notable guests as George and Martha Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, and the Marquis de Lafayette. During the early 20th century, the house served as a warehouse and office for a business that imported and exported Russian and Siberian horse hair and bristles. The owners had sold much of the interior architectural detail to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Little more than a shell, the building was slated for demolition, with the site planned to be used for a parking lot. After learning of the imminent demolition, Frances Wister formed The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks and raised sufficient funds to purchase the property in 1931. Over the next decade, Wister and the Society restored the house to its appearance during Powel's residency, interpreting the daily lives of wealthy Philadelphians at the time of the American Revolution. Today, the rich history of the Powel House may be seen in its decorative arts collection, its portraits of Powels and Willings, and its formal, walled garden so typical of Colonial Philadelphia. Its beautiful entryway, ballroom with bas-relief plasterwork, and mahogany wainscoting give the house its reputation as perhaps America's finest existing Georgian Colonial townhouse.

04/13/2025
A blanket of snow over Powel. ❄️
01/06/2025

A blanket of snow over Powel. ❄️

In our holiday era!The Powel House Committee has adorned the house with beautiful new decor for its annual holiday fundr...
12/05/2024

In our holiday era!

The Powel House Committee has adorned the house with beautiful new decor for its annual holiday fundraiser! We are loving it 😍🎄❄️

Join us on Sunday, December 8th from 5-8pm to kick off the holiday season with a roast pig, holiday buffet, cocktails, caroling and silhouette cutting - all in the enchanting Powel House. Perfect to get you in the holiday spirit!

Spooky season is here! 👻
10/16/2024

Spooky season is here! 👻

These places will give you goosebumps at Halloween — and all the rest of the year.

Despite the heat, the Powel Garden has been putting on a show recently with the crepe myrtle as its summer star. 🌺.
08/01/2024

Despite the heat, the Powel Garden has been putting on a show recently with the crepe myrtle as its summer star. 🌺.

Happy Birthday to the one and only Elizabeth Willing Powel! Born February 21st 1742/3. Elizabeth Willing Powel was an Am...
02/22/2024

Happy Birthday to the one and only Elizabeth Willing Powel! Born February 21st 1742/3.

Elizabeth Willing Powel was an American socialite and a prominent member of the Philadelphia upper class of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The daughter, later sister and then wife of mayors of Philadelphia, she was a salonnière who hosted frequent gatherings that became a staple of political life in the city. 💫

Today we’re thinking of Randy and Nichole, who were married at the Powel House in May of 2022. Their wedding featured us...
01/24/2024

Today we’re thinking of Randy and Nichole, who were married at the Powel House in May of 2022. Their wedding featured use of our stunning ballroom where George and Martha Washington celebrated their own 20th wedding anniversary! A beautiful clear top tent by was placed in our lush garden for the dinner reception, and the interior of the museum was a stunning backdrop for the celebration.

Are you looking for a secret garden with rich history and a stunning ballroom? Well look no further than the Powel House. In addition to being a public museum, we regularly host private events. Drop us a line at [email protected] to learn more about rates and availability.

wedding

Chris and Claudia hosted their stunning wedding reception at the Powel House after a beautiful ceremony, which was held ...
01/17/2024

Chris and Claudia hosted their stunning wedding reception at the Powel House after a beautiful ceremony, which was held at our sister property Catered by Photographed by .real.m2photo

Interested in hosting a private event at the Powel House? Email Megan at [email protected]

It may be a cold gray January day but the Powel House’s window sashes are back and poppin’! 😍 Onto the next phase!
01/15/2024

It may be a cold gray January day but the Powel House’s window sashes are back and poppin’! 😍 Onto the next phase!

12/14/2023

𝟕 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐚 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠
Oh, the wedding food. It can be a multi-sensory experience. The drinks, taste and texture of your meal can have a lasting memory. It’s what brings us together. So having food that reflects every one of your taste buds is important. So let's dive into it...
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Here are 7 Philadelphia wedding venues with preferred catering options:
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Photo credit: The Deacon
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Continue reading: https://partyspace.com/blog/7-philadelphia-wedding-venues-with-preferred-catering/
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It’s all in the details 😍🎄
12/08/2023

It’s all in the details 😍🎄

Address

244 S 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106

Telephone

+12156270364

Website

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