Editing Cedar Grove

{{Infobox Park
| name = Cedar Grove
| image =
| image_caption = Cedar Grove mansion in Fairmount Park
| type = Historic house museum
| location = Fairmount Park (West)
| coordinates = 39.9870,-75.2000
| area = Part of West Fairmount Park
| established = Original house c. 1748; moved to park 1927
| operated_by = Philadelphia Museum of Art
| features = Colonial/Federal mansion, period furnishings, family history
| hours = Limited—check Philadelphia Museum of Art
| transit = SEPTA bus; drive recommended
| website = https://www.philamuseum.org
}}

'''Cedar Grove''' is a historic house museum in [[Fairmount Park|West Fairmount Park]], remarkable for being moved stone-by-stone from its original Frankford location in 1927 to preserve it from industrial encroachment. The house spans five generations of the Morris-Wistar family from 1748 to 1888, with original furnishings and family belongings intact—a rare preservation of both architecture and contents.<ref name="cedargrove">{{cite web |url=https://www.philamuseum.org/visit/cedar-grove |title=Cedar Grove |publisher=Philadelphia Museum of Art |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

Cedar Grove offers an unusually complete picture of how one Philadelphia Quaker family lived across 150 years.

== History ==

=== Original Construction ===

Built in '''Frankford''' around '''1748''':
* Elizabeth Coates Paschall built the original house
* Quaker family residence
* Expanded over generations
* Each generation added to the house

=== Five Generations ===

The house remained in one family line:
* '''1748-1760s:''' Elizabeth Coates Paschall
* '''1760s-1795:''' Sarah Wistar Morris
* '''1795-1840:''' Isaac Wistar Morris
* '''1840-1888:''' Lydia Thompson Morris and siblings
* '''1888:''' Last family member died; house and contents preserved

=== The Move ===

Industrial development threatened the house:
* Frankford became industrial area
* '''1927:''' House moved to Fairmount Park
* Dismantled and reassembled stone by stone
* Contents moved intact
* Preserved family history

=== Significance ===

Cedar Grove is exceptional because:
* Original furnishings remained with house
* Five generations' belongings preserved
* Documents family life evolution
* Quaker heritage intact

== Features ==

=== Architecture ===

The house shows '''architectural evolution:'''
* 1748 original Quaker farmhouse
* Federal-era additions
* Multiple building campaigns visible
* Local stone construction

=== Original Furnishings ===

'''Family belongings intact:'''
* Furniture from all five generations
* Textiles and needlework
* Ceramics and glass
* Family portraits
* Everyday objects

=== Quaker Life ===

The house reflects '''Quaker values:'''
* Simplicity in design
* Quality craftsmanship
* Practical elegance
* Family continuity

=== Gardens ===

Historic '''garden recreated:'''
* Based on period documentation
* 18th and 19th-century plants
* Formal layout elements

== Visiting ==

=== Tours ===

* Limited public hours
* Check Philadelphia Museum of Art website
* Special events occasionally
* Group tours by appointment

=== Getting There ===

'''Location:''' Lansdowne Drive, West Fairmount Park

'''By Public Transit:'''
* SEPTA Bus 38
* Driving recommended

'''By Car:'''
* Enter Fairmount Park
* Parking near house

=== Tips ===

* Call ahead—hours are limited
* The furnished interior is the highlight
* Combine with other park mansions
* Interesting for genealogy/family history enthusiasts

== Nearby ==

* '''[[Fairmount Park]]''' — Surrounding park
* '''[[Sweetbriar Mansion]]''' — Nearby
* '''[[Memorial Hall]]''' — Nearby
* '''[[Philadelphia Zoo]]''' — Nearby

== See Also ==

* [[Fairmount Park]]
* [[Fairmount Park Mansions]]
* [[Strawberry Mansion]]
* [[Woodford Mansion]]
* [[Mount Pleasant]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://www.philamuseum.org Philadelphia Museum of Art]
* [https://myphillypark.org Fairmount Park Conservancy]

{{#seo:
|title=Cedar Grove Philadelphia - Colonial House Museum Moved to Fairmount Park
|description=Guide to Cedar Grove, a colonial house moved to Fairmount Park in 1927 with five generations of Morris-Wistar family furnishings preserved intact.
|keywords=Cedar Grove Philadelphia, Fairmount Park mansions, Philadelphia house museums, Quaker history Philadelphia, colonial furniture Philadelphia
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Parks]]
[[Category:Historic Sites]]
[[Category:Fairmount Park]]
[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:Architecture]]