Cedar Grove Mansion facts for kids
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Cedar Grove Mansion
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1 Cedar Grove Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19131, U.S. |
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| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | Fairmount Park Historic District |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001151 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated NRHP | February 7, 1972 |
Cedar Grove Mansion is a historic house located in west Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For over 150 years, it was a summer home for five generations of a Philadelphia family. The house was originally built far from the busy city, in what is now the Frankford neighborhood.
In 1746, a woman named Elizabeth Coates Paschall bought the land. She was a widow who ran her husband's dry goods business. Elizabeth wanted a quiet place in the countryside, close to her father's farm. Construction of the grey stone house began in 1748 and finished in 1750. It was built on a 15-acre plot of land.
Contents
House History and Design
Growing the House Over Time
Elizabeth Paschall and her family added to the house over many years. Her granddaughter, Sarah, inherited Cedar Grove. In 1795, Sarah married Isaac Wistar Morris. They made the house much bigger, adding more rooms and even a third floor. Later, a porch was added that wrapped around the house.
Architectural Styles Inside
The inside of Cedar Grove Mansion shows different styles of architecture. You can see elements from Baroque, Rococo, and Federal designs. This mix of styles makes the house unique and interesting to explore.
Moving and Preserving Cedar Grove
A Gift to the City
Lydia Thompson Morris was the last family member to own Cedar Grove. In 1926, she decided to give the house to the city of Philadelphia. She also donated all the original furniture that had been passed down through her family for generations.
Relocating the Mansion
After Lydia's generous gift, the house was moved. Between 1926 and 1928, Cedar Grove was carefully taken apart and rebuilt in Fairmount Park. This was a huge project! Today, the Philadelphia Museum of Art takes care of the house. They have kept it fully furnished with the Morris family's original items.
Visiting Cedar Grove Today
You can visit Cedar Grove Mansion and take a guided tour. It's like stepping back in time to see how families lived long ago. The house is an important part of Philadelphia's history.
Historic Recognition
Cedar Grove is officially recognized as a historic place. It is listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. It is also part of the Fairmount Park Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These listings help protect the house and its history for future generations.
See also
