Stenton (mansion) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stenton
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Stenton mansion in November 1960
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| Location | 4601 North 18th Street, Logan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Area | 3 acres (12,000 m2) |
| Built | 1723–1730 |
| Architect | John Nicholas (d. 1756), master builder |
| Architectural style | American Georgian |
| Website | http://www.stenton.org |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000690 |
| Added to NRHP | January 12, 1965 |
Stenton, also known as the James Logan Home, was a large country house. It belonged to James Logan. He was the first Mayor of Philadelphia. He also served as the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This was when Pennsylvania was still a colony. The house is located at 4601 North 18th Street. It is in the Logan neighborhood of North Philadelphia.
A famous architect named Charles Follen McKim once said Stenton was the best example of colonial architecture in the United States.
Contents
History of Stenton House
Stenton was named after James Logan's father's birthplace in Scotland. It was built between 1723 and 1730. The house sat on a large piece of land, about 511 acres. It was James Logan's country home. People at the time called him a "universal man." This meant he was skilled in many different areas.
James Logan's Life and Work
James Logan arrived in Philadelphia in 1699. He came as William Penn's secretary. William Penn founded Pennsylvania. Logan took on many important jobs in colonial Pennsylvania. He was the mayor of Philadelphia. He was also the chief justice of the colony's Supreme Court. He even served as the acting governor.
Logan collected one of the best libraries in colonial America. He also made an important discovery. He found out how pollen helps corn grow. This made a famous scientist, Linnaeus, admire him greatly. Logan also became very rich from trading furs.
Building Features and Changes
The Stenton house is made of red bricks. The bricks above the windows are dark-colored. The roof has a special shape called a hip roof. This means it slopes down on all sides. The house has two and a half stories.
After James Logan died in 1751, his son, William Logan, inherited Stenton. William lived mostly in Philadelphia. He used Stenton mainly as a summer home. He also added a kitchen and many nice pieces of furniture to the house.
When William died in 1776, his son, George Logan, inherited Stenton. George was a doctor. He later became a U.S. senator.
Stenton During the Revolutionary War
The house played a part in the Battle of Germantown in 1777. Both American General George Washington and British General Lord William Howe used Stenton as their headquarters. This shows how important the house was during the war.
George Logan married Deborah Norris. She was born in 1761 and died in 1839. Deborah was a well-known diarist and historian. Sally Wister's Journal was written for her in 1781.
Stenton in the 20th Century
The Logan family owned Stenton until 1910. Then, the City of Philadelphia bought the house.
Stenton as a Museum
Today, Stenton is open to the public. It is a historic house museum. It is also part of the Germantown Historic District. Experts consider the house to be one of the best examples of 18th-century American Georgian architecture. It is still standing today.
In January 1965, Stenton was officially recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place. The house also gave its name to nearby Stenton Park and Stenton Avenue. The village of Stanton, New Jersey also got its name from the mansion.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia
- List of Washington's Headquarters during the Revolutionary War
- National Register of Historic Places listings in North Philadelphia
- Wyck House
