Johnson House
| Type | Historic house museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 6306 Germantown Avenue |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Germantown |
| Phone | (215) 438-1768 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1768 (house); 1980 (museum) |
| Founder | Johnson family |
| Hours | Thu-Sat 10 AM - 4 PM |
The Johnson House Historic Site is a historic house museum in Germantown that served as a station on the Underground Railroad. Built in 1768 by John Johnson Sr., a Quaker slaveholder who later freed his enslaved workers, the house became an important stop on the secret network that helped freedom seekers escape from slavery in the antebellum period. Today, the Johnson House is one of the few authenticated Underground Railroad sites in Philadelphia open to the public.[1]
The Johnson family's Quaker faith led them from slaveholding to active involvement in the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad. The house's location in Germantown—a stop on the road north from Philadelphia—and its construction (with multiple hiding places) made it an ideal refuge for those escaping bondage. Tours explore the house's architecture, the Johnson family's transformation, and the dangerous work of the Underground Railroad.[2]
History
[edit | edit source]The Johnson Family
[edit | edit source]John Johnson Sr. built the stone farmhouse in 1768. Like many Quakers of his era, Johnson initially held enslaved people. However, the Society of Friends (Quakers) was moving toward abolition, and Johnson eventually freed his enslaved workers.
Subsequent generations of the Johnson family became active abolitionists:
- John Johnson Jr. and his wife were conductors on the Underground Railroad
- The family worked with other Germantown Quakers in the antislavery movement
- They risked imprisonment and fines to help freedom seekers
The Underground Railroad
[edit | edit source]The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to freedom in the Northern states and Canada. The Johnson House served as a station on this network:
- Freedom seekers would arrive, often at night
- They would be hidden, fed, and rested
- They would then be directed to the next station
- The network stretched from the South to Canada
Risk and Resistance
[edit | edit source]Helping freedom seekers was illegal under the Fugitive Slave Act:
- Conductors faced imprisonment and fines
- Freedom seekers faced recapture and worse treatment
- The work required secrecy and trust
- Germantown's Quaker community provided a network of support
Preservation
[edit | edit source]The house remained in the Johnson family until the 20th century. It was:
- Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997
- Opened as a museum to interpret Underground Railroad history
- Preserved as a testament to the struggle for freedom
The House
[edit | edit source]Architecture
[edit | edit source]The Johnson House is a Georgian-style stone farmhouse:
- Built 1768
- Typical of colonial Germantown
- Stone construction
- Multiple floors and hiding places
Underground Railroad Features
[edit | edit source]The house's construction aided its use as a station:
- Hidden spaces for concealment
- Cellar access
- Attic hiding areas
- Strategic location near roads north
Outbuildings
[edit | edit source]The property includes:
- Original stone house
- Historic garden
- Carriage house (now visitor center)
Visiting the Johnson House
[edit | edit source]Hours
[edit | edit source]- Thursday-Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Closed: Sunday-Wednesday
- Tours at scheduled times
Admission
[edit | edit source]- Adults: Approximately $12 (check website for current pricing)
- Seniors/Students: Discounted rates
- Children: Discounted rates
Reservations recommended, especially for groups.
Tours
[edit | edit source]- Guided tours interpret the house and Underground Railroad history
- Tours last approximately 1 hour
- School groups and special programs available
- Check website for tour times
Tips
[edit | edit source]- The house is best experienced through a guided tour
- Good for adults and older children interested in history
- Combine with other Germantown historic sites
- The subject matter is serious—tours discuss slavery and resistance
Getting There
[edit | edit source]- SEPTA Regional Rail: Chelten Avenue Station (10-minute walk)
- SEPTA Bus: Route 23
- By Car: Located on Germantown Avenue
- Parking: Street parking
Nearby Attractions
[edit | edit source]- Cliveden (2 blocks)
- Germantown White House (Deshler-Morris House)
- Wyck (nearby)
- Germantown, Philadelphia (surrounding neighborhood)
Educational Programs
[edit | edit source]School Programs
[edit | edit source]- Field trips aligned with curriculum standards
- Underground Railroad education
- Primary source learning
- Experiential activities
Public Programs
[edit | edit source]- Lectures and discussions
- Community events
- Juneteenth celebrations
- Black History Month programming
See Also
[edit | edit source]- Underground Railroad in Philadelphia
- African American History in Philadelphia
- Germantown, Philadelphia
- Quakers in Philadelphia
- Cliveden
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "About the Johnson House". Johnson House Historic Site. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "Johnson House Historic Site". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025