Cliveden Park
| Cliveden | |
|---|---|
| Type | Historic site / Estate grounds |
| Location | Germantown |
| Coordinates | 40.0380,-75.1750 |
| Area | 6 acres |
| Established | 1767 (house); National Trust site since 1972 |
| Operated by | Cliveden of the National Trust |
| Features | Revolutionary War battlefield, Georgian mansion, grounds |
| Hours | See website for tour times |
| Transit | SEPTA Regional Rail to Chelten Avenue; bus routes |
| Website | Official Site |
Cliveden (pronounced KLIV-den) is a Georgian mansion and historic estate in Germantown, famous as the site of the most intense fighting during the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777. Built by the Chew family and still bearing musket ball and cannon scars from that brutal day, it's now a National Trust historic site with grounds open for visitors.[1]
Want to understand the Revolutionary War in Philadelphia? Cliveden offers one of the most direct connections available. You can actually see the battle damage.
History
The Chew Family
Benjamin Chew built Cliveden in 1767:
- Chief Justice of colonial Pennsylvania
- Built as summer retreat from Center City
- Georgian architecture
- Family occupied for 200 years
Battle of Germantown
October 4, 1777 changed everything for this house. Washington's army attacked through Germantown that day. About 120 British soldiers had fortified themselves inside the mansion. The Americans threw everything at it. Cannon fire. Musket volleys. Wave after wave of assault. The stone walls held firm. It was one of the fiercest fights of the entire battle.
The engagement was brutal but didn't go the Continental Army's way. Still, it showed that Washington's troops could stand toe-to-toe with British regulars. That meant something.
Preservation
The Chew family kept Cliveden for nearly two centuries after the revolution. In 1972, they donated it to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Restoration work followed. The house reopened to the public. But here's what's remarkable: they didn't erase the battle damage. Those musket ball holes and cannon marks stayed put. They're part of the story.
Features
The Mansion
Built between 1763 and 1767, this house shows genuine Georgian design. Local Wissahickon schist stone forms the structure. The layout follows formal Georgian principles. Original furnishings fill the rooms. And everywhere you look, you see the scars. Musket balls embedded in plaster. Cannon damage pocking the walls. These aren't reconstructions. They're the real thing.
Battle Damage
The preservation of Revolutionary War damage is what sets Cliveden apart:
- Musket ball marks in walls
- Cannon ball damage
- Broken shutters (replicas of originals)
- Interpretive markers
The Grounds
Six acres surround the mansion. Historic trees dot the property. Formal garden elements remain from earlier periods. Walking paths let you explore at your own pace. A carriage house sits on the grounds as well.
Upton House
On the adjacent property stands an 19th-century home that's part of the Cliveden site. It provides additional context and interpretation.
Visiting
Tours
Guided tours run through the mansion itself. They cover battle interpretation and the house's architectural history. You'll want to check the website for the current schedule before you go.
Grounds
The grounds are usually accessible during daylight hours. You can explore on your own with historical markers throughout. Tours of the house cost money. The grounds are free.
Getting There
Location: 6401 Germantown Avenue
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA Regional Rail to Chelten Avenue Station
- SEPTA Bus 23
By Car:
- Street parking on Germantown Avenue
- Small lot available
Tips
You'll need a tour to get inside the mansion. But don't skip the grounds just because you can't make it to a scheduled tour. October brings reenactments of the battle itself. Combine your visit with other Germantown historic sites nearby for a fuller picture.
Annual Events
Battle Reenactment
October commemorations bring the past alive:
- Revolutionary War reenactment
- Battle anniversary events
- Living history programs
- Major Philadelphia history event
Programs
Educational tours happen regularly. Schools bring students out for programs. Special exhibitions rotate through. Community events pop up throughout the year.
Historic Significance
This place matters for several reasons. It's a window into Revolutionary War military history. The architecture shows what colonial elites built and how they lived. Two hundred years of one family's story unfolds here. Cliveden reflects early American society in all its complexity.
Nearby
- Vernon Park — Close by in Germantown
- Germantown — The surrounding neighborhood
- Germantown White House — Deshler-Morris House
- Johnson House — Underground Railroad site
- Awbury Arboretum — Historic green space nearby