Hill–Physick–Keith House facts for kids
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Hill–Physick–Keith House
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(2013)
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 321 S. 4th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1786 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000726 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 27, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | January 7, 1976 |
The Hill–Physick–Keith House is a special old home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located at 321 S. 4th Street in the Society Hill area. This house was built in 1786. It was once the home of Philip Syng Physick, a famous doctor. He lived from 1768 to 1837. People called him "the father of American surgery."
In 1976, the house became a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place. Today, the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks owns and runs it. It is now a historic house museum that you can visit.
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Exploring the Hill–Physick–Keith House
The Hill–Physick–Keith House is in the southern part of Center City. It is a unique building because it stands alone. It is surrounded by Delancey, Cypress, and South 4th Streets. The house has three stories and is made of brick. It shows off the beautiful Federal style of building.
Design and Features of the House
The house has a sloped roof. The front of the house has three sections. Stone lines separate each floor. The main door is in the middle. It has windows on the sides and a large, round window above it. Inside, the house has many original features from the Federal period. This includes fancy marble around the fireplaces. The furniture inside is in the Federal and Empire styles. Some pieces even belonged to Dr. Philip Syng Physick himself.
The Story of Dr. Philip Syng Physick
Dr. Philip Syng Physick was born in Philadelphia. He traveled to London and Edinburgh to study surgery. He brought these important skills back to his hometown. Dr. Physick taught surgery and anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania. He helped train many new surgeons.
Dr. Physick's Medical Innovations
Dr. Physick was also known for his amazing skills in the operating room. He created new designs for surgical tools. These tools helped doctors perform operations better. His work greatly improved medicine in America.
History of the Hill–Physick–Keith House
A rich Madeira wine importer named Henry Hill built the house in 1786. Dr. Physick moved into the house in 1815. This was after he separated from his wife, Elizabeth Emlen Physick. He lived there until he passed away in 1837.
Restoration and Modern Use
Over time, the house became old and run down. In the late 1960s, a publisher named Walter Annenberg helped restore it. He made the house look new again. Then, he gave it to the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks. Today, this house is the only free-standing Federal mansion left in the old part of Philadelphia.
The house is now a museum. It has a garden that looks like gardens from the early 1800s. You can visit the museum from Thursdays to Saturdays, 11 AM to 4 PM. On Sundays, it is open from 12 PM to 4 PM. The building also serves as the main office for the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania.
See also
