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{{Infobox Neighborhood
{{Infobox Park
| name = Strawberry Mansion
| name = Strawberry Mansion
| type = Neighborhood
| image =
| location = North Philadelphia
| image_caption = Strawberry Mansion overlooking the Schuylkill River
| zip_codes = 19121, 19132
| type = Historic house museum / Park grounds
| named_for = Historic Strawberry Mansion in Fairmount Park
| location = Fairmount Park (East)
| boundaries = Roughly 29th Street to 33rd Street, Lehigh to Diamond
| coordinates = 39.9920,-75.1780
| adjacent_neighborhoods = [[Brewerytown]], [[Allegheny West]], [[Fairmount Park]]
| area = Part of East Fairmount Park
| major_streets = Ridge Avenue, 33rd Street, Diamond Street
| established = c. 1789 (house); park acquisition 1867
| transit = SEPTA bus routes
| operated_by = Committee of 1926 / Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
| notable_landmarks = Strawberry Mansion (historic house), Fairmount Park access
| features = Federal/Greek Revival mansion, period furnishings, grounds
| hours = Check website for tour schedule
| transit = SEPTA bus 32; drive recommended
| website = https://www.historicstrawberrymansion.org
}}
}}


'''Strawberry Mansion''' is a neighborhood in [[North Philadelphia]] named for the historic Strawberry Mansion house in adjacent [[Fairmount Park]]. The neighborhood has a rich history but has faced significant economic challenges in recent decades, including poverty, crime, and disinvestment. Community organizations work to preserve the neighborhood's heritage and improve conditions for residents.
'''Strawberry Mansion''' is a historic house museum in [[Fairmount Park|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.<ref name="strawberry">{{cite web |url=https://www.historicstrawberrymansion.org |title=Historic Strawberry Mansion |publisher=Committee of 1926 |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>
 
The mansion offers a window into 18th and 19th-century life along the Schuylkill River.


== History ==
== History ==


=== The Mansion ===
=== Early History ===
The neighborhood takes its name from '''Strawberry Mansion''', an 18th-century house in Fairmount Park that once served as a restaurant famous for its strawberries and cream.
 
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 ===


=== Historic Character ===
The '''central portion''' (c. 1789):
Strawberry Mansion developed as a middle-class neighborhood in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with elegant Victorian homes and a stable community.
* Three-story Federal design
* Symmetrical facade
* Original entrance
* Period proportions


=== Decline ===
=== Greek Revival Wings ===
Like much of North Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion experienced severe decline in the late 20th century:
* Population loss
* Property abandonment
* Economic disinvestment
* Crime increases


== Character ==
The '''side wings''' (1820s):
* Fashionable Greek Revival style
* Ionic columns
* Expanded living space
* Grand entertaining rooms


=== Architecture ===
=== Interior ===
* Victorian rowhouses (many deteriorated)
* Some larger historic homes
* Vacant lots
* Mixed conditions


=== Community ===
'''Period furnishings:'''
Despite challenges, the neighborhood maintains:
* Antique furniture collection
* Active community organizations
* Decorative arts
* Long-term residents
* Some original pieces
* Preservation efforts
* Reflects multiple eras
* Hope for revitalization


== Fairmount Park Access ==
== Features ==


Strawberry Mansion borders Fairmount Park:
=== House Tours ===
* Access to park trails
* Strawberry Mansion house (in park)
* Natural areas
* Recreation opportunities


== Challenges ==
* Guided tours available
* Period room displays
* Architectural interpretation
* Decorative arts collection


* Poverty
=== Grounds ===
* Property vacancies
* Crime
* Limited commercial services
* Disinvestment


== Revitalization Efforts ==
'''Estate landscape:'''
* Overlooking Schuylkill River
* Mature trees
* Walking paths
* Picnic areas nearby


Community organizations work on:
=== Views ===
* Housing rehabilitation
* Youth programs
* Economic development
* Crime reduction


== Getting There ==
* River views from mansion
* East Fairmount Park vistas
* Historic landscape setting


* '''SEPTA bus routes:''' 15, 32
== Visiting ==
* No subway access (requires bus)


{{FAQ
=== Hours ===
| q1 = Why is it called Strawberry Mansion?
 
| a1 = The neighborhood is named for Strawberry Mansion, an 18th-century house in adjacent Fairmount Park that once served as a restaurant famous for its strawberries and cream. The historic house still stands in the park.
* Tours by appointment or scheduled hours
| q2 = What is Strawberry Mansion like today?
* Check website for current schedule
| a2 = Strawberry Mansion has faced significant economic challenges including poverty, crime, and property abandonment. However, the neighborhood maintains active community organizations working on preservation, housing rehabilitation, and youth programs.
* Grounds accessible during park hours
| q3 = Can you visit Strawberry Mansion (the house)?
 
| a3 = Yes, the historic Strawberry Mansion house is located in Fairmount Park and can be visited. The neighborhood also provides access to park trails and recreation areas.
=== 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 ==
== See Also ==


* [[Brewerytown]]
* [[Fairmount Park]]
* [[Fairmount Park]]
* [[North Philadelphia]]
* [[Fairmount Park Mansions]]
* [[Lemon Hill]]
* [[Woodford Mansion]]
* [[Mount Pleasant]]
 
== References ==
<references />
 
== External Links ==
 
* [https://www.historicstrawberrymansion.org Historic Strawberry Mansion]
* [https://myphillypark.org Fairmount Park Conservancy]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Strawberry Mansion Philadelphia - Historic North Philadelphia Neighborhood
|title=Strawberry Mansion Philadelphia - Historic Fairmount Park House Museum
|description=Guide to Strawberry Mansion, North Philadelphia neighborhood named for the historic Fairmount Park mansion, facing challenges while preserving community.
|description=Guide to Strawberry Mansion, the largest historic mansion in Fairmount Park. Federal and Greek Revival architecture, period furnishings, and Schuylkill River views.
|keywords=Strawberry Mansion Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia neighborhoods
|keywords=Strawberry Mansion Philadelphia, Fairmount Park mansions, Philadelphia historic houses, Federal architecture Philadelphia, Greek Revival Philadelphia
|type=Article
|type=Article
}}
}}


[[Category:Neighborhoods]]
[[Category:Parks]]
[[Category:North Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Historic Sites]]
[[Category:Fairmount Park]]
[[Category:Architecture]]
[[Category:Museums]]

Revision as of 18:22, 30 December 2025

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.[1]

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

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "Historic Strawberry Mansion". Committee of 1926. Retrieved December 30, 2025
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