Editing Graff House (section)

== Current Site ==

The reconstructed Graff House stands slightly north of the original location, on a site cleared of later commercial development to create the Independence Mall. The exterior replicates the appearance of a 1770s Philadelphia townhouse, with red brick walls, white-painted wooden trim, and a gambrel roof. The interior has been restored to reflect the building's condition during Jefferson's residence, with reproduction furnishings based on historical research. The second-floor rooms include the parlor where Jefferson likely wrote much of the Declaration and the bedroom where he slept. The furnishings are spare, reflecting the temporary nature of Jefferson's lodgings and the building's status as a rental property.<ref name="nps"/>

The first floor contains exhibits on the Declaration of Independence and its drafting, including reproductions of Jefferson's rough draft with his handwritten revisions and Congress's changes. A short film presents the context and significance of the document. The exhibits emphasize the process of composition and revision, countering the romantic notion that the Declaration sprang fully formed from Jefferson's pen. The building attracts visitors seeking to understand how the Declaration came into being, offering an intimate complement to the grander spaces of [[Independence Hall]] where the document was debated and adopted. The Graff House is open daily except for major holidays and can be visited free of charge.<ref name="nps"/>