John Coltrane House facts for kids
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John Coltrane House
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1511 North 33rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Architect | E. Allen Wilson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000628 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 20, 1999 |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1999 |
The John Coltrane House is a special historic house located at 1511 33rd Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was once the home of John Coltrane, a very famous American saxophonist and a pioneer of jazz music. He lived here from 1952 until 1958. Today, this house is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important place in American history. People are working to restore the house so it can be used to celebrate jazz music and its legacy.
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John Coltrane's Time in the House
John Coltrane bought this house for his family after he finished serving in the U.S. Navy. He lived here until 1958, when he moved to New York City. Even after moving, he still used the Philadelphia house as another place to stay until the end of his life. After he passed away in 1967, the house went to his cousin, Mary Alexander.
What Makes the House Special?
Besides being John Coltrane's home, the house is also interesting because of its old architecture. It's a great example of a typical middle-class rowhouse from the early 1900s in Philadelphia. The exact architect is not fully known, but E. Allen Wilson is thought to be the designer.
Keeping the House Alive
The John W. Coltrane Cultural Society
For many years, Coltrane's relatives lived in the house, so it couldn't be opened to the public. By 2003, the house needed a lot of repairs. In 1984, John Coltrane's cousin, Mary Alexander, helped start the "John W. Coltrane Cultural Society" (JWCCS). This group wanted to promote jazz music and honor John Coltrane's memory. Around 1998, the Society opened a John W. Coltrane Center right next to the house, while Mary Alexander was still living there.
The JWCCS offered fun workshops for children. Professional jazz artists taught these workshops in schools and youth groups across Philadelphia. They also held an annual Summer Backyard Concert Series right in the backyard of the Coltrane House. There was also a yearly Birthday Tribute Concert at a larger venue to celebrate John Coltrane. A community garden on 33rd Street featured a jazz mural created by young people from the neighborhood. Students from Strawberry Mansion High School also created a mural inside their school. "Cousin Mary," who grew up with Coltrane, also gave talks about his life and music.
Official Historic Status
Because of its connection to John Coltrane, the house has received several important official recognitions as a historic building. It was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places on December 18, 1985.
Later, on January 20, 1999, it was declared a National Historic Landmark. This is a very high honor for a historic place in the United States. At the same time, it was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission placed a special marker honoring John Coltrane in front of the house on July 17, 1990.
