Woodford Mansion
| Woodford Mansion | |
|---|---|
| Type | Historic house museum / Park grounds |
| Location | Fairmount Park (East) |
| Coordinates | 39.9900,-75.1800 |
| Area | Part of East Fairmount Park |
| Established | c. 1756 (house) |
| Operated by | Naomi Wood Collection / Philadelphia Museum of Art |
| Features | Georgian mansion, colonial decorative arts, period furnishings |
| Hours | By appointment |
| Transit | SEPTA bus 32; drive recommended |
| Website | Official Site |
Woodford Mansion is a Georgian mansion in East Fairmount Park, housing one of the finest collections of colonial American decorative arts in the country. Built around 1756, the house contains the Naomi Wood Collection of 18th-century furniture, ceramics, and household objects displayed in period room settings.[1]
Woodford offers an intimate glimpse into colonial Philadelphia domestic life.
History
Construction
Woodford was built around 1756:
- Georgian architectural style
- Country estate outside colonial city
- Several early owners
- Reflects colonial prosperity
William Coleman
Judge William Coleman owned the house:
- Friend of Benjamin Franklin
- Prominent colonial Philadelphian
- Expanded and improved the property
David Franks
David Franks also owned Woodford:
- Wealthy colonial merchant
- Loyalist during Revolution
- Property confiscated during war
Park Acquisition
- Acquired for Fairmount Park (19th century)
- Preserved as historic site
- Became house museum
Naomi Wood Collection
Naomi Wood (1861-1953) assembled the collection:
- Dedicated collector of colonial decorative arts
- Bequeathed collection to the city
- Installed at Woodford for public benefit
- Maintained by partnership with Philadelphia Museum of Art
Features
Architecture
Georgian colonial design:
- Symmetrical facade
- Central hall plan
- Period proportions
- Original architectural details
The Collection
Naomi Wood Collection includes:
- Colonial American furniture
- English and American ceramics
- Textiles and needlework
- Silver and metalwork
- Household objects
- Period room settings
Period Rooms
Rooms furnished to show:
- 18th-century domestic life
- Colonial Philadelphia taste
- Everyday objects and fine pieces
- How colonists lived
Grounds
Estate setting:
- East Fairmount Park surroundings
- Historic landscape
- Walking paths nearby
Visiting
Tours
- By appointment
- Small group tours
- Docent-led interpretation
- Focus on decorative arts
Hours
- By appointment only
- Contact for scheduling
- Special event openings
Admission
- Small fee for tours
- Grounds free (part of Fairmount Park)
Getting There
Location: East Fairmount Park (near 33rd and Dauphin)
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA Bus 32
- Limited—driving recommended
By Car:
- Drive into East Fairmount Park
- Park near mansion
Tips
- Call ahead—tours by appointment
- Interest in decorative arts enhances visit
- Combine with other park mansions
- The collection is exceptional for specialists
Significance
Woodford's importance:
- Outstanding decorative arts collection
- Preserved colonial architecture
- Window into 18th-century Philadelphia life
- Accessible museum setting
Nearby
- Fairmount Park — Surrounding park
- Strawberry Mansion — Nearby mansion
- Laurel Hill Cemetery — Across river
- Smith Memorial Playground — Nearby
See Also
References
- ↑ "Woodford Mansion". Naomi Wood Collection. Retrieved December 30, 2025