Mount Pleasant (mansion) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Mount Pleasant
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark

River facade
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Location	Mount Pleasant Drive, between Kelly Drive and Columbia Avenue Fairmount Park Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Area	Less than 1-acre (4,000 m²)
Built	c. 1761
Architectural style	Georgian
NRHP reference No.	66000685
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966
Designated NHL	May 30, 1974

Mount Pleasant is a beautiful old house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It sits high up on cliffs overlooking the Schuylkill River. This grand home was built around 1761–1762. It was once in the countryside, far from the city.

The house was built by John Macpherson and his wife, Margaret. John Macpherson was a privateer. This means he was allowed by his government to attack enemy ships. He named the house "Clunie" after his family's home in Scotland.

The person who designed and built the house was Thomas Nevell. He learned his skills from Edmund Woolley. Woolley was the builder of Independence Hall. Today, the Philadelphia Museum of Art helps manage Mount Pleasant. It is located in Fairmount Park. In 1974, Mount Pleasant was named a National Historic Landmark.

Mount Pleasant's Design

Mount Pleasant is a great example of Georgian style. The front entrance has a triangular shape above it, called a pediment. This pediment is held up by strong Doric columns. The roof has a decorative railing, known as a balustrade. It also has large windows that stick out from the roof, called dormers. Two big chimneys complete the roofline.

Outside the Main House

On each side of the main house, there are two smaller, matching buildings. One was used as an office. The other was a summer kitchen. All these buildings have decorative brick corners called quoins.

Inside the Mansion

In 1775, John Adams visited the mansion. He said it was "the most elegant seat in Pennsylvania." The inside of the house still has its original wooden walls. These walls have beautiful carvings. They show how elegantly people lived during colonial times. You can also see items from Macpherson's life. The house is furnished with period furniture. This furniture comes from the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Famous People Who Lived Here

Mount Pleasant was also home to Benedict Arnold and his wife, Peggy Shippen. Arnold bought the mansion on March 22, 1779. He bought it for his new wife. However, they never actually moved in.

In 1792, Jonathan Williams bought the mansion. He was the first leader of West Point. He was also the grand-nephew of Benjamin Franklin. Williams lived there sometimes until he passed away in 1815. His children later sold the estate to Fairmount Park.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art helped restore the house in 1926. They made sure it looked its best.