Exterior views of Penn House built 1713-1715 for Thomas Chalkley on land owned by William Penn's daughter, Letitia, although it was believed that William Penn built the home and lived there. Served as a tavern for many years, until the house was moved to Fairmount Park in 1883 in order to save it from destruction during a period of rapid commercial growth in the city., Contains 45 postcards printed in color and 26 printed in black and white. Also includes 6 linen postcards., Also known as the Letitia Street House., Digitized with funding from a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
Brightbill, George M., collector
Date
1900-1935
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Fairmount Park - Mansions and Houses - Penn Mansion - 83]
Postcard depicting exterior view of the house, also known as the Letitia Street House, built for merchant Thomas Chalkley in 1713 to 1715. Shows the two-and-a-half-story house with a gabled roof and dormer; green shuttered windows on the façade; and a sign above the front door that reads, “William Penn.” The front doors and windows are open. In the left, ivy grows up the wall. Four young girls and one boy, some with baskets on their laps, sit on a bench beside the house and look toward the viewer. Numerous trees stand on the property around the house. Image is also pasted with glitter that decorates the grounds, as well as the border of the house, like garland. In the 19th century, the house was misidentified as being built by William Penn in 1682 and given to his daughter Letitia. The building served as a tavern for many years before being moved from Second and Chestnut Streets to Fairmount Park (3401 West Girard Avenue) in 1883., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Also known as the Letitia Street House., Manuscript note written in lower right on recto: Mother., Gift of David Doret, 2019.
Date
[ca. 1900]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Doret and Mitchell Collection – Ephemera [P.2019.64.31]
Exterior view of Penn House in Fairmount Park, built 1713-1715 for Thomas Chalkley on land owned by William Penn's daughter, Letitia, although it was believed that William Penn built the home and lived there. Served as a tavern for many years, until the house was moved to Fairmount Park in 1883 in order to save it from destruction during a period of rapid commercial growth in the city., Inscribed in negative: 2462., Title from negative sleeve., Also known as the Letitia Street House., Modern reference print available.
Creator
Hand, Alfred, photographer
Date
ca. 1920
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department 4x5 Glass Negatives - Hand [P.9259.40]
