Powel House

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Elegant 18th - century house museum of Mayor Samuel Powel and his wife Elizabeth Willing Powel.

Powel House is an historic mansion in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. This elegant Georgian brick mansion was built in 1765 by merchant and shipmaster Charles Stedman. When Stedman fell on financial difficulties (eventually winding up in debtors' prison), the house was purchased for £3,150 on August 2, 1769 by Samuel Powel, who served as the last mayor of Philadelphia under British rule and became the city's first mayor after the Revolution. He and his wife Elizabeth Willing were well known for their hospitality and frequently entertained such notable guests as George and Martha Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, and the Marquis de Lafayette. During the early 20th century, the house served as a warehouse and office for a business that imported and exported Russian and Siberian horse hair and bristles. The owners had sold much of the interior architectural detail to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Little more than a shell, the building was slated for demolition, with the site planned to be used for a parking lot. After learning of the imminent demolition, Frances Wister formed The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks and raised sufficient funds to purchase the property in 1931. Over the next decade, Wister and the Society restored the house to its appearance during Powel's residency, interpreting the daily lives of wealthy Philadelphians at the time of the American Revolution. Today, the rich history of the Powel House may be seen in its decorative arts collection, its portraits of Powels and Willings, and its formal, walled garden so typical of Colonial Philadelphia. Its beautiful entryway, ballroom with bas-relief plasterwork, and mahogany wainscoting give the house its reputation as perhaps America's finest existing Georgian Colonial townhouse.

10/16/2026

The Powel House will be closed tomorrow 10/17. We apologize for the inconvenience, we will open again on Sunday 10/18.

Thank you,
Powel House staff

08/15/2026

The Powell House is closed today, August 15th. We apologize for the inconvenience. The house will reopen tomorrow, August 16th for tours starting at 12pm.

08/13/2026

We will be closed on August 15th, we apologize for the inconvenience. We will reopen on August 16th for tours starting at 12pm.

08/07/2026

Come visit the Powel House!

Open for guided tours Thursday -Saturday from 11am - 3pm with tours starting on the hour. Sunday hours start from 12pm - 3pm.

Paired with our experienced docents, learn the history of Samuel and Elizabeth Powel. You will see some of these highlights, & more!

07/17/2026

We are looking for volunteer docents to conduct guided tours at the powel house. Looking for someone who has a passion for history, and want to connect the story of Samuel and Elizabeth Powel.

If you are interested please send an email to [email protected] with your name, contact information, availability, and why you are interested in being a volunteer docents.

04/13/2025

01/06/2025

A blanket of snow over Powel. ❄️

Address

244 S 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106

Telephone

+12156270364

Website

http://Www.philalandmarks.org/

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