Upsala (mansion) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Upsala
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Upsala, October 2009
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 6430 Germantown Avenue Germantown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States |
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| Area | < 1-acre (4,000 m2) |
| Built | 1798-1801 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001174 |
| Added to NRHP | January 13, 1972 |
Upsala is a historic mansion located in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It's considered one of the best examples of "Federal" style architecture still standing today. This style was popular in America after the Revolutionary War.
The mansion is a special part of the Colonial Germantown Historic District. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as a very important historical site.
During the 1777 Battle of Germantown, American troops gathered on the land where Upsala now stands. They prepared to attack British forces located across Germantown Avenue at Cliveden.
History of Upsala
In 1698, the first owner of this land, Heivert Papen, built a small house here. It was located near what is now Johnson Street and Germantown Avenue. Later, the land was owned by Dirck Jansen, one of the first people to settle in Germantown.
In 1766, John Johnson, Sr. bought the property. His family was important in the area.
The Battle of Germantown
The land where Upsala stands played a big role in the Continental Army's plans during the Battle of Germantown. This battle happened on October 4, 1777. American cannons were set up on the front lawn of the property. They fired at the British forces who were defending Cliveden (Benjamin Chew House).
Building the Mansion
John Johnson, III inherited the property in 1797. He then built the Upsala Mansion between 1798 and 1801. John was a Quaker, and he married Sally Wheeler in 1801. They had nine children while living at Upsala.
The mansion might have been named after the city of Uppsala in Sweden. However, this is not fully confirmed. Some people also think a Johnson family member admired the Swedish author, Fredrika Bremer, and named the house after her. The small house built by Papen was taken down in 1883.
Upsala Today
Since the 1920s, the annual Revolutionary Germantown Festival has taken place here. This festival re-enacts the Battle of Germantown every year. It includes the attack from Upsala Mansion towards Cliveden. This event happens on the first Saturday of October.
The Johnson family owned and lived in Upsala Mansion until 1941. After Dr. William Johnson passed away, the property was taken from his widow, Sarah Trowbridge Bartow Johnson.
In September 1942, the property was damaged. The roof was badly burned in a fire. The mansion was then put up for sale, and there were plans to tear it down. Some even talked about building a supermarket on the site.
However, in 1944, a group of people who wanted to save old buildings stepped in. Led by Frances Anne Wister, they bought the house. They created a foundation to help restore the property. Upsala was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 13, 1972.
The house was a museum for many years. But in the early 2000s, the museum closed because not enough people were visiting. The Upsala Foundation then joined with Cliveden, another historic site. Together, they managed the property with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2016, they decided to sell the house.
The house was bought by Alex Aberle and Violette Levy. They are two young people who care a lot about saving historic places. They are changing the house from a museum back into a family home. As part of the deal, the new owners agreed to let the annual battle re-enactment continue on the property.
See also
