Mount Pleasant (mansion) facts for kids
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Mount Pleasant
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River facade
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| Location | Mount Pleasant Drive, between Kelly Drive and Columbia Avenue Fairmount Park Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| Area | Less than 1-acre (4,000 m2) |
| Built | c. 1761 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000685 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
Mount Pleasant is a beautiful old mansion located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It sits high up on cliffs, looking over the Schuylkill River. This grand house was built around 1761–1762. Back then, it was in the countryside, outside the main city.
The mansion was built by John Macpherson and his wife, Margaret. John Macpherson was a privateer, which means he was a ship owner or captain who was allowed by a government to attack enemy ships during wartime. He named his new home "Clunie" after his family's ancient home in Scotland.
The person who designed and built Mount Pleasant was Thomas Nevell (1721–1797). He learned his skills from Edmund Woolley, who helped build Independence Hall. Today, the Philadelphia Museum of Art helps take care of Mount Pleasant, which is part of Fairmount Park. In 1974, Mount Pleasant was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, meaning it's a very important historical place in the United States.
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Exploring Mount Pleasant's Design and History
Mount Pleasant is a great example of Georgian style. This means it has a balanced and formal look.
What Makes Mount Pleasant Special?
The front entrance of the mansion has a triangular shape called a pediment above it. This pediment is held up by strong columns. The roof has a decorative railing called a balustrade, along with large windows that stick out (dormers) and two big chimneys.
On each side of the main house, there are two smaller, matching buildings. One was used as an office, and the other was a summer kitchen. All these buildings have decorative brick corners called quoins.
Famous Visitors and Owners of the Mansion
In 1775, John Adams, who would later become the second U.S. President, visited Mount Pleasant. He was very impressed and called it "the most elegant seat in Pennsylvania." Inside the house, you can still see the original wooden walls with fancy carvings. These show how elegantly people lived during colonial times. You can also see items from John Macpherson's life and furniture from that period. The furniture you see today comes from the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Mount Pleasant was also once owned by Benedict Arnold and his wife, Peggy Shippen. Arnold bought the mansion in March 1779 for his new wife. However, the house was very expensive, and Arnold had money problems. Because of this, they had to sell it and never actually moved in.
In 1792, Jonathan Williams bought the mansion. He was the grandnephew of Benjamin Franklin and the first superintendent of West Point, a famous military school. Williams lived there off and on until he passed away in 1815. His children later sold the estate to Fairmount Park.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art carefully restored the mansion in 1926, making sure it looked as grand as it did centuries ago.
Images for kids
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Land façade and end pavilions
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Captain John Macpherson (1726–1792)
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Historic American Buildings Survey, aerial view, looking west, 2003
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Parlor, 1948
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Historic American Buildings Survey, main hall and stairway, 1960
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Historic American Buildings Survey, second floor hallway, 1960
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