Strawberry Mansion

Strawberry Mansion
Type	Historic house museum / Park grounds
Location	Fairmount Park (East)
Coordinates	39.9920,-75.1780
Area	Part of East Fairmount Park
Established	c. 1789 (house); park acquisition 1867
Operated by	Committee of 1926 / Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Features	Federal/Greek Revival mansion, period furnishings, grounds
Hours	Check website for tour schedule
Transit	SEPTA bus 32; drive recommended
Website	Official Site

Strawberry Mansion is a historic house museum in East Fairmount Park, notable as the largest of the park's colonial mansions and one of the finest examples of Federal and Greek Revival architecture in Philadelphia. The house takes its name from the strawberries and cream once served at a dairy on the grounds, and the surrounding Strawberry Mansion neighborhood is named for the estate.

The mansion offers a window into 18th and 19th-century life along the Schuylkill River.

History

Early History

The original house dates to c. 1789:

• Built by Judge William Lewis
• Federal-style central section
• Overlooking Schuylkill River
• Originally called "Summerville"

Expansions

The house grew over time:

• 1820s: Greek Revival wings added by Judge Joseph Hemphill
• Significantly enlarged the house
• Added fashionable Greek Revival details
• Created current grand appearance

The Strawberry Name

The estate became Strawberry Mansion in the 1840s:

• Mrs. Grimes operated a dairy
• Served strawberries and cream to visitors
• Name stuck to house and neighborhood
• Popular destination for Philadelphians

Park Acquisition

• 1867: City acquired property for Fairmount Park
• Preserved as part of watershed protection
• Used for various purposes over years
• Restored as house museum

Architecture

Federal Section

The central portion (c. 1789):

• Three-story Federal design
• Symmetrical facade
• Original entrance
• Period proportions

Greek Revival Wings

The side wings (1820s):

• Fashionable Greek Revival style
• Ionic columns
• Expanded living space
• Grand entertaining rooms

Interior

Period furnishings:

• Antique furniture collection
• Decorative arts
• Some original pieces
• Reflects multiple eras

Features

House Tours

• Guided tours available
• Period room displays
• Architectural interpretation
• Decorative arts collection

Grounds

Estate landscape:

• Overlooking Schuylkill River
• Mature trees
• Walking paths
• Picnic areas nearby

Views

• River views from mansion
• East Fairmount Park vistas
• Historic landscape setting

Visiting

Hours

• Tours by appointment or scheduled hours
• Check website for current schedule
• Grounds accessible during park hours

Admission

• Small admission fee for house tour
• Grounds free

Getting There

Location: 2450 Strawberry Mansion Drive, East Fairmount Park

By Public Transit:

• SEPTA Bus 32 to Strawberry Mansion Drive
• Long walk from any rail station

By Car:

• Drive into East Fairmount Park
• Free parking near mansion

Tips

• Call ahead to confirm tour availability
• The grounds are pleasant for a picnic
• Combine with other Fairmount Park mansions
• Smith Memorial Playground is nearby

The Neighborhood

Strawberry Mansion neighborhood:

• Named for the estate
• North Philadelphia neighborhood
• Historic rowhouse architecture
• Working-class community

Nearby

• Fairmount Park — Surrounding park
• Smith Memorial Playground — Nearby
• Woodford Mansion — Another park mansion
• Laurel Hill Cemetery — Across the river
• Kelly Drive — River road

See Also

• Fairmount Park
• Fairmount Park Mansions
• Lemon Hill
• Woodford Mansion
• Mount Pleasant

External Links

• Historic Strawberry Mansion
• Fairmount Park Conservancy