Powel House
244 S 3rd St., Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
If you want to follow in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers, head to Powel House. One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the county, this historic house was once home to one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest families. Powel House regularly hosted George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, and is now a well-preserved emblem of 18th-century life—it glitters with hundreds of years of history and glamor.
The basics
Boasting period furnishings and artworks, Powel House isn’t as well-known as many of Old City’s other 18th-century landmarks (including Independence National Historical Park highlights such as Independence Hall), but it’s a must-visit for history buffs and architecture lovers. If you don’t have time to explore its interior, you can still admire the building’s well-preserved Georgian facade on several Philly excursions. Spot it on a walking tour of this historic neighborhood or spy it after dark when you pass by on a candlelit ghost tour.
Things to know before you go
You can buy tickets on-site; students and seniors get discounted entry.
The best way to explore Powel House is by guided tour. Tours are included in the ticket price and typically take place on the hour.
Owing to its historic architecture, Powel House unfortunately has limited accessibility for wheelchair users.
How to get there
Powel House is at 244 S. Third Street in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood. It is 10 minutes on foot from the 2nd Ave stop on the Market-Frankford Line and 25 minutes from Jefferson Station, one of the city’s major transit hubs. The area is also served by numerous bus lines, and taxi and rideshare services also make getting around easy.
When to get there
Powel House has varying opening hours throughout the year. From April to November, it’s open Thursday through Sunday, from late morning until mid-afternoon. In March and December, it is open on weekends (except for the last two weekends of December, when it is closed for the holidays), and is accessible by appointment only in January and February.
What to see at Hill-Physick House
Another historic house museum that’s located just a few blocks away from Powel House, Hill-Physick House offers another glimpse of what 18th-century life was like in the City of Brotherly Love. Home to a former surgeon whose clients included President Andrew Jackson, the house features some of his early medical instruments as well as period furnishings and interiors.
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