‘Freedom & Slavery in the Making of a New Nation at the President’s House’
The President’s House, that originally combined slaves and freedom, is located just steps from the Liberty Bell in the Independence National Historical Park. This open-aired site is open 24-hours a day.
History of the President’s House
The President’s House was built by Mary Lawrence Masters in 1767, who moved to England in the early days of the Revolutionary War. The house was later bought by Robert Morris, in which George Washington moved in with him. Morris later gave up the house to his friend Washington to use as the Executive Mansion in 1790.
This was the “White House” from 1790-1800, while the capital city was being built in what is today Washington D.C. This house was occupied by Presidents George Washington and John Adams, which served as America’s first executive mansion.
The main house was demolished in 1832, yet some of the back walls survived, which were later demolished in the 1950s during the creation of Independence Mall.
During excavation for the new Liberty Bell Center in late 2000, foundations of the President’s House were uncovered, leading to extreme interest in the history of what once stood centuries earlier. It was later revealed that the center’s planned main entrance would be just feet from the site of Washington’s slave quarters.
A large archaeology project took place in 2007 that uncovered foundations of the back buildings, the President’s office, and the massive Bow Window designed by Washington as a ceremonial space. The commemorative opening ceremony to mark the site of the President’s House, as well as to acknowledge the slaves and their place in Philadelphia and United States history, was opened on December 15, 2010.
The President’s House Experience & Atmosphere
The three-and-a-half-story brick mansion is of Georgian style architecture. What is unique about the history of what took place was that President George Washington brought at least nine enslaved Africans from his Mount Vernon home to live and work here.
The nine enslaved persons of African descent in Washington’s household where: Oney Judge, Moll, Austin, Hercules, Richmond, Giles, Paris, Christopher Sheels, and Joe (Richardson).
There were also important bills that were signed here: Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 (Washington), Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 (Adams).
This site of the President’s House provides visitors with different perspectives of the complex and powerful stories that are illustrated in videos and timelines throughout the building.
Location
524-30 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours
24-Hours
Phone
(215) 965-2305
Web Site
View Larger Map
Follow Us!