Germantown White House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Germantown White House
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Picture of the Germantown White House
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5442 Germantown Avenue Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| Area | < 1-acre (4,000 m2) |
| Built | 1752 |
| Architect | David Deshler |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000095 |
| Added to NRHP | January 13, 1972 |
The Germantown White House, also called the Deshler–Morris House, is a very old and important house in the Germantown area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's special because it's the oldest house still standing where a president lived. George Washington, one of America's first leaders, stayed here twice when he was president.
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Building the House and Its Owners
The house has two names because of its first and last owners. David Deshler started building it in 1752. Later, Elliston P. Morris, Jr. gave it to the National Park Service in 1948.
David Deshler was a merchant. He bought a 2-acre piece of land in 1751–52. He first built a small summer house with four rooms. About 20 years later, he added a larger, three-story section to the front. This made it one of the fanciest homes in the area.
After Deshler passed away in 1792, Isaac Franks bought the house. Franks was a former colonel in the Continental Army. He was the one who rented the house to President Washington.
Later, the house was sold to Elliston and John Perot. In 1834, it was sold again to Samuel B. Morris, who was Elliston's son-in-law. The Morris family lived in the house for over 100 years. They then donated it to the National Park Service in 1948.
A Look at History
The Revolutionary War Connection
On October 4, 1777, the house was part of the Battle of Germantown. After the battle, British General Sir William Howe stayed in the house.
President Washington's Stays
In 1793, a serious illness called the Yellow Fever Epidemic hit Philadelphia. President Washington stayed in the city until September. He then went to his home, Mount Vernon. He returned to Philadelphia in early November with some of his staff.
However, Philadelphia was under quarantine because of the illness. So, they had to go to Germantown instead. Germantown was about 10 miles outside the city back then.
Washington first stayed at the Dove House. This was the headmaster's home for Germantown Academy. He also traveled to Reading, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles away. He wanted to see if it could be a temporary capital city.
When he came back to Germantown, he stayed at the Isaac Franks house. This was from November 16 to 30. His wife, Martha, and her two grandchildren joined him. More of their staff also came later during their stay.
The next year, in September and October 1794, Washington and his family returned to the Franks house for a vacation. He left early to deal with the Whiskey Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania. While at the house, he met with his cabinet four times. His cabinet included important leaders like Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. The President also posed for a painting by Gilbert Stuart. The family went to the German Reformed Church nearby.
Keeping the House Safe
The Independence National Historical Park helps manage the Germantown White House. In 1972, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical sites. The house is also part of the Colonial Germantown Historic District. In 2009, the National Park Service officially changed the house's name. It went from "Deshler-Morris House" to the "Germantown White House."
The Bringhurst House
The Bringhurst House is next to the Germantown White House. It was first owned by John Bringhurst. He was a carriage builder and invented the Germantown Wagon. In 1780, he even built a carriage for George Washington. His land in Germantown was about 19 acres. Today, Bringhurst Street is named after him.
During the American army's attack on October 4, 1777, Lieutenant Colonel John Bird was sick in the Bringhurst House. He got out of bed to lead his men but was badly hurt in the battle. He was carried back to the Bringhurst House, where he passed away.
In 1973, the Bringhurst house was given to the National Park Service. This was to help protect the Germantown White House. The Bringhurst property is now being turned into a space for exhibits and a welcome center.
More to Explore
- President's House (Philadelphia), where Washington lived in Philadelphia from 1790–1797
- List of residences of presidents of the United States
- Wyck House
