Reynolds-Morris House facts for kids
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Reynolds-Morris House
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Reynolds-Morris House in 1972
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 225 S. 8th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | < 1-acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1786–1787 |
| Architect | John & William Reynolds |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 67000020 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 24, 1967 |
| Designated NHL | December 24, 1967 |
The Reynolds-Morris House is a really old and important house located at 225 South 8th Street in the Washington Square West area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was built a long time ago, between 1786 and 1787, by two people named John and William Reynolds.
This house is a great example of a special type of building called a Georgian townhouse from Philadelphia. Because it's so well-preserved and important, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1967. Today, you can even stay there, as it works like a hotel!
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What Makes the House Special?
The Reynolds-Morris House is just one block west of Washington Square in the Center City part of Philadelphia. It stands on the east side of South 8th Street, between St. James and Locust Streets.
Its Unique Look
This building is about three and a half stories tall and is made of brick. It has a sloped roof with special windows that stick out, called dormers. The front of the house is wide, with five sections, and the main door is right in the middle.
The front door has columns on each side and a half-circle window above it, topped with a small triangular roof. The bricks are laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond, which looks very neat. There are also decorative lines of brick between each floor.
Windows and Inside Details
The windows have heavy stone tops that look like they have a keystone, which is a wedge-shaped stone often found at the top of an arch. Inside the house, you'll find beautiful wooden decorations. These decorations are from a style popular in America right after the Revolutionary War, known as the Federal period.
A Glimpse into History
The Reynolds-Morris House is quite unique because it was originally built as a "double rowhouse." This means it was built on two building lots at the same time, which was not very common. John and William Reynolds finished building it in 1786 and 1787.
The Morris Family's Home
In 1817, the house was sold to Luke Wistar Morris. He was the son of Captain Samuel Morris, who was a famous soldier from the First City Troop. The Morris family was very well-known in Philadelphia. They lived in this house for a very long time, about 120 years!
From Rowhouse to Standalone Home
Even though it started as a rowhouse, meaning it was connected to other houses, things changed later. In the early 1900s, the Morris family bought the houses next door and had them taken down. This made the Reynolds-Morris House stand alone, giving it more space and a grander look.
