Andalusia (estate) facts for kids

Andalusia
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Andalusia in 1976
Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	1237 State Road, Andalusia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nearest city	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Area	225 acres (91 ha)
Built	1794
Architect	Benjamin Latrobe, Thomas U. Walter
Architectural style	Colonial Revival, Greek Revival
NRHP reference No.	66000649
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	November 13, 1966
Designated NHL	November 13, 1966

Andalusia is a famous old house and large property near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is also known as the Nicholas Biddle Estate. This beautiful place sits right by the Delaware River. The town around it, also named Andalusia, got its name from this historic estate. The property covers about 225 acres.

History of Andalusia

Building the Original House

A man named John Craig built the first house here in 1794. He named it Andalusia after a region in Spain. Later, in 1806, Craig hired a famous architect, Benjamin Latrobe. Latrobe made the house bigger, giving it a style called Greek Revival. This style looks like ancient Greek temples.

The Biddle Family's Influence

In 1811, John Craig's daughter, Jane, married Nicholas Biddle. Nicholas Biddle was a very important banker. He and another architect, Thomas U. Walter, made the house even larger between 1834 and 1836. Thomas U. Walter is well-known for designing the dome of the United States Capitol building.

Their biggest addition was a new section that faced the river. This part had huge columns on three sides, like those found on ancient Greek buildings. Inside this new section were two large living rooms. These rooms had special doors that could open up to create one very big room. This new section with its columns became a famous example of Greek Revival style. They also added new rooms on the north side for a grand entrance and other uses. Some of the rooms Latrobe designed in 1806 were kept in the new plans.

Important Family Members

The Biddle family has had many important members connected to Andalusia. Nicholas Biddle's brother was Commodore James Biddle, a naval officer. His son, Charles John Biddle, became a Congressman. Later, his great-grandson, Charles John Biddle, was a pilot. His great-great-grandson, James "Jimmy" Biddle, led the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The property is still owned by the Biddle family today.

A National Treasure

Andalusia was named a National Historic Landmark in 1966. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. The National Park Service says that Andalusia is one of the first and best examples of the Greek Revival style in the country. Today, you can visit Andalusia as a house museum to learn about its history.

Images for kids

• 

  Andalusia (circa 1834), watercolor by Thomas U. Walter. This shows Latrobe's alterations from 1806.

• 

  First floor plan.

• 

  North façade.