Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks facts for kids
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| Formation | 1931 |
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| Purpose | Managing four house museums in the Philadelphia area |
| Headquarters | 321 South 4th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106 |
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Executive Director
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Kayla Anthony |
The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (also called Landmarks) is a group that started in 1931. Their main job is to take care of and protect four old, historic houses near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These special houses are:
These houses are open to everyone. People can visit them to learn about history and enjoy seeing how people lived long ago.
Contents
History of Landmarks
The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks has done a lot to save important buildings in Philadelphia. They fix up these old houses, fill them with old furniture, and then open them for people to visit.
Saving the Powel House
In 1931, a group of people heard that the beautiful Powel House was going to be torn down very soon. Two women, Frances Anne Wister and Sophia Cadwalader, quickly gathered friends and supporters. They started Landmarks to save the house. Even though it was during the Great Depression, a very tough economic time, they succeeded!
Adding More Historic Homes
About ten years later, Landmarks was able to get another historic house called Grumblethorpe in Germantown.
In the late 1960s, a famous couple, Ambassador and Mrs. Walter Annenberg, fixed up the Hill-Physick-Keith House. After they restored it, they gave the house to Landmarks to take care of.
Later, in 1981, Landmarks made a deal with Easttown Township, Pennsylvania to help manage the historic Waynesborough property.
Sharing Philadelphia's History
Today, Landmarks continues the work that Frances Anne Wister started. They manage all four house museums. Every year, thousands of visitors and schoolchildren come to these houses. They learn all about the rich history of Philadelphia.
Landmarks also helps support other important groups in Philadelphia. They buy tickets for places like the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Flower Show, and the Barnes Foundation. This helps more people enjoy these cultural places.
