Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks facts for kids
 |
|
| Formation | 1931 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Managing four house museums in the Philadelphia area |
| Headquarters | 321 South 4th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106 |
|
Executive Director
|
Kayla Anthony |
The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, often called Landmarks, was started in 1931. This group works to keep four important historic house museums safe and well-maintained. These special houses are located around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The four historic houses that Landmarks cares for are:
These houses are open for everyone to visit. They help people learn about history and enjoy the past.
History of Landmarks
The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks has been very important in saving old buildings in Philadelphia. They have fixed up, furnished, and opened these amazing house museums to the public.
How Landmarks Started
In 1931, a historic house called the Powel House was almost torn down. Two women, Frances Anne Wister and Sophia Cadwalader, heard the news. They quickly gathered a group of strong supporters. Famous families like the Biddles and Lippincotts joined them. Together, they created Landmarks to save the Powel House.
Even though it was during the Great Depression, a very tough economic time, Landmarks succeeded. Within ten years, they were able to get another historic house. This was Grumblethorpe in Germantown.
Adding More Houses
Later, in the late 1960s, Ambassador and Mrs. Walter Annenberg restored the Hill-Physick-Keith House. After they fixed it up, they gave this beautiful house to Landmarks.
In 1981, Landmarks made an agreement with Easttown Township, Pennsylvania. This agreement allowed Landmarks to manage the historic Waynesborough property.
Landmarks Today
Landmarks continues the work that Frances Anne Wister started. They manage the four house museums. Each year, thousands of visitors and schoolchildren come to learn about Philadelphia's history.
Landmarks also helps with the Road Scholar program. This program used to be called Elderhostel. It brings many visitors to the Philadelphia area. These visitors come to enjoy the city's history and culture. Landmarks' Road Scholar program is one of the top programs like it in the world.
The organization also supports other groups in Philadelphia. They buy tickets to places like the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They also support the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Barnes Foundation. This helps many other cultural organizations.
The Road Scholar program also helps the local economy. It leads to over $500,000 being spent on hotel rooms and other services in the Philadelphia area.
