Glen Foerd on the Delaware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Glen Foerd
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5001 Grant Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 17.8 acres (7.2 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architect | McAuley & Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002320 |
| Added to NRHP | November 20, 1979 |
Glen Foerd is a historic mansion and estate located in the Torresdale neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It overlooks the Delaware River near the mouth of Poquessing Creek. Today, it is a museum and a public park.
Contents
The Story of Glen Foerd
Early Days of the Estate
The mansion we know as Glen Foerd was first built around 1850. It was a summer home for a wealthy businessman and banker named Charles Macalester, Jr.. At that time, it was called Glengarry. The house was designed in the Italianate style, which was popular for its grand, villa-like look.
Charles Macalester was a very important person. He was a trusted advisor to George Peabody. Peabody was famous for giving away a lot of money to help education. Many people called him the "father of modern philanthropy" (which means helping others).
Macalester also had close connections with many U.S. Presidents. These included Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, James K. Polk, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Abraham Lincoln. President Jackson even appointed him to a special role at the Second Bank of the United States.
New Owners and Changes
In 1893, a U.S. congressman and industrialist named Robert H. Foerderer bought the estate. An industrialist is someone who owns or manages a large business or factory. Foerderer gave the mansion its current name, Glen Foerd.
He made the house even bigger in 1903. He added to it in the Edwardian Classical Revival style. This style brought back ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings.
Glen Foerd Today
Over the years, the ownership of Glen Foerd changed a few times. In 1971, the estate was given to the Lutheran Church of America. Later, in 1985, two groups took over: the Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation and the Fairmount Park Commission.
Today, Glen Foerd is a historic house museum. This means you can visit the mansion and learn about its past. The beautiful grounds around the house are also a public park. Everyone can enjoy the gardens and views of the river.
Glen Foerd is recognized as an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
See also
