The Powel House: Philadelphia’s “Power Couple” Mansion Saved from a Parking Lot

In the historic Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, just steps from the bustle of the modern city, stands one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the United States.

The Powel House (244 South 3rd Street) is more than just a pretty façade. It was the home of Philadelphia’s ultimate “Power Couple” during the American Revolution. It hosted George Washington and John Adams, survived the Yellow Fever epidemic, and was nearly demolished to become a parking lot for taxi cabs.

Maintained by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (PhilaLandmarks), this house offers a glimpse into the high-stakes political social scene of the 18th century.

The “Patriot Mayor” and the Saloniere

The house was originally built in 1765 by Charles Stedman, a shipmaster and merchant. However, Stedman’s financial luck ran out before he could enjoy it. In 1769, Samuel Powel purchased the property for £3,150.

Samuel Powel holds a unique distinction in history: he was the last mayor of Philadelphia under British rule (1775–1776) and the first mayor following independence (1789–1790). A Quaker who converted to Anglicanism, he bridged the divide between the old world and the new, earning the nickname the “Patriot Mayor.”

But the house’s influence was equally driven by his wife, Elizabeth Willing Powel. A brilliant political mind and a premier hostess (saloniere), she was one of George Washington’s closest confidantes. It was Elizabeth who famously asked Benjamin Franklin what kind of government they had formed, to which he reportedly replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

A “Splendid Seat”

Upon buying the house, the Powels hired carpenter-architect Robert Smith to remodel it into a mansion worthy of their status. The interior was fitted with intricate wood carvings, dentil molding, and Rococo plaster ceilings attributed to master craftsmen of the era.

The home became the social hub of the Revolution. Guests included Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de Lafayette, and John Adams (who, despite his Puritan roots, admitted to enjoying the “sinful feasts” served there).

Most notably, the Powels were best friends with George and Martha Washington. The Washingtons were such frequent visitors that they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary at the Powel House in 1779—a rare moment of joy during the war.

The Lost Rooms: A House Stripped Bare

The house you see today has a complicated secret.

After Elizabeth Powel died in 1830, the neighborhood changed. By the early 1900s, the once-glamorous mansion had degraded into a warehouse and a mattress factory. The owners, seeing more value in the parts than the whole, sold off the stunning interiors.

• The Ballroom: Sold to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1925.
• The Rear Parlor: Sold to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1921.

By 1930, the stripped shell of the house was slated for demolition. The plan was to bulldoze it to create an open-air parking lot for a taxi company.

The Rescue

Enter Frances Wister. Upon learning of the demolition plans, she formed the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks in 1931. In a race against time, she raised the funds to buy the property and save it from the wrecking ball.

Restoring the house was a massive undertaking led by architect Louis Duhring. Since the original rooms were sitting in museums in New York and Philadelphia, the restoration team had to recreate them. They painstakingly crafted exact replicas of the plaster and woodwork to replace what was lost.

Today, walking through the ballroom is a surreal experience—you are standing in a perfect clone of a room that still exists just a few miles away in a museum.

If You Visit

The Powel House is located within walking distance of Independence Hall and makes for a perfect quieter alternative to the crowds at the Liberty Bell.

• Location: 244 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
• Tours: The house is open for guided tours. Hours can vary by season, generally open Thursday through Sunday.
• Don’t Miss: The garden. While the original property once extended all the way to 4th Street (including stables and an ice house), the current Colonial Revival garden is a peaceful urban oasis.
• Nearby: It is just a short walk to the Physick House, another PhilaLandmarks property that explores the medical history of the era.

For More Information:

• PhilaLandmarks (www.philalandmarks.org)