Editing Woodford Mansion

{{Infobox Park
| name = Woodford Mansion
| image =
| image_caption = Woodford Mansion in East Fairmount Park
| 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 = https://woodfordmansion.org
}}

'''Woodford Mansion''' is a Georgian mansion in [[Fairmount Park|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.<ref name="woodford">{{cite web |url=https://woodfordmansion.org |title=Woodford Mansion |publisher=Naomi Wood Collection |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

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 ==

* [[Fairmount Park]]
* [[Fairmount Park Mansions]]
* [[Strawberry Mansion]]
* [[Lemon Hill]]
* [[Mount Pleasant]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://woodfordmansion.org Woodford Mansion]
* [https://myphillypark.org Fairmount Park Conservancy]

{{#seo:
|title=Woodford Mansion Philadelphia - Colonial Decorative Arts in Fairmount Park
|description=Guide to Woodford Mansion, a Georgian house museum in Fairmount Park housing the Naomi Wood Collection of colonial American decorative arts.
|keywords=Woodford Mansion Philadelphia, Fairmount Park mansions, colonial decorative arts, Philadelphia house museums, Naomi Wood Collection, Georgian architecture
|type=Article
}}

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