John Johnson House (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
|
John Johnson House
|
|
|
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
|
John Johnson House in 2009
|
|
| Location | 6306 Germantown Avenue Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
|---|---|
| Area | < 1-acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1768 |
| Architect | Jacob Norr |
| Architectural style | Colonial Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001162 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | January 13, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | December 9, 1997 |
The John Johnson House is a very important historical building in the Germantown area of Philadelphia. It is famous for its big role in helping to end slavery and as a safe stop on the Underground Railroad. You can find it at 6306 Germantown Avenue. This house is part of the Colonial Germantown Historic District, which is also a special historical place. Today, the John Johnson House is a museum that you can visit to learn about its past.
Contents
The History of the Johnson House
Philadelphia, especially the Germantown neighborhood, was a key place in the 1800s for people who wanted to stop slavery. The Johnson House was one of the most important spots in this movement. From 1770 to 1908, five different generations of the Johnson family lived in this house.
The Johnson Family and the Underground Railroad
The second and third generations of the Johnson family were very active in the Underground Railroad during the 1850s. The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses and routes. It helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in the North or Canada.
Jennett Rowland Johnson and her children—Rowland, Israel, Ellwood, Sarah, and Elizabeth—were all part of groups that fought against slavery. These groups included the American Anti-Slavery Society. Through these groups, the Johnson family became deeply involved in the Underground Railroad.
They used their home, along with houses of relatives nearby, to hide people escaping slavery. These brave individuals were on their journey to freedom. The Johnson House was a well-known "station" on the Underground Railroad. The Johnsons were among the most important people working to end slavery in their time.
Building the House and the Battle of Germantown
The John Johnson House was built between 1765 and 1768. At that time, it was one of the largest homes in Germantown. Germantown was a suburb of Philadelphia back then. Jacob Norr built the house for Dirck Jansen. Jansen built it for his son, John Johnson, Sr.
In 1777, a famous battle called the Battle of Germantown happened very close to the house. Even today, you can still see marks on the house from musket balls and cannonballs from that battle. These marks are a reminder of the house's long history.
See also
