Wyck
| Type | Historic house museum, garden |
|---|---|
| Address | 6026 Germantown Avenue |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Germantown |
| Phone | (215) 848-1690 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1690 (house); 1973 (museum) |
| Founder | Hans Millan |
| Hours | Seasonal - check website |
Wyck is a historic house, farm, and garden in Germantown that served as the home of the same Quaker family for nine generations over 300 years, from 1690 to 1973. This remarkable continuity makes Wyck one of the most significant historic properties in America—a place where centuries of family life, social change, and American history can be traced through preserved documents, furnishings, and the property itself. The 2.5-acre site includes an 18th-century house, historic rose garden, and working gardens.[1]
Wyck's collections are extraordinary: the family saved nearly everything—letters, diaries, account books, photographs, furniture, clothing, and household goods spanning three centuries. Together, these materials document how one family experienced the American Revolution, industrialization, the Civil War, and the 20th century, all while continuously inhabiting the same property.[2]
History
[edit | edit source]Nine Generations
[edit | edit source]The property was home to nine generations of one Quaker family:
- Hans Millan (1690s): Early German Quaker settler
- Successive generations: Wistar, Haines family connections
- Jane Bowne Haines (1869-1937): Preserved family archives
- Final residents departed in 1973
This 300-year span makes Wyck one of the oldest family homesteads in America.
The House
[edit | edit source]The house evolved over centuries:
- 1690s: Original small dwelling
- 1720s: Expanded by the Wistar family
- 1824: Major renovation by architect William Strickland
- Later: Additions and modifications through the 19th century
The result is a house that shows its evolution over 300 years.
The Family's Quaker Values
[edit | edit source]The family's Quaker faith influenced their lives:
- Simplicity in lifestyle and furnishings
- Social activism and reform
- Opposition to slavery (early abolitionists)
- Women's education and suffrage support
- Preservation of family history
Preservation
[edit | edit source]When the last family members departed in 1973, they donated Wyck to a nonprofit organization to preserve it for the public. The remarkably intact collections make it an exceptional resource for understanding American domestic life.
The Property
[edit | edit source]The House
[edit | edit source]Wyck's house shows three centuries of evolution:
- Original 17th-century core
- 18th-century additions
- William Strickland's 1824 renovation
- Victorian-era modifications
The Rose Garden
[edit | edit source]Wyck's rose garden is believed to be America's oldest:
- Planted circa 1820 by Jane Bowne Haines's grandmother
- Contains original roses still blooming
- Traditional Quaker design
- Peak bloom in late May/early June
Working Gardens
[edit | edit source]The grounds include:
- Vegetable gardens (in active production)
- Historic plantings
- Orchard remnants
- Farm structures
Outbuildings
[edit | edit source]- Carriage house
- Smoke house
- Ice house remnants
- Farm buildings
Collections
[edit | edit source]Documentary Heritage
[edit | edit source]Wyck's archives are extraordinary:
- Letters: Thousands of family letters
- Diaries: Daily records spanning decades
- Account books: Household and business records
- Photographs: Family images from 1840s onward
- Newspapers and ephemera: Saved materials
Furnishings
[edit | edit source]The house retains original furnishings:
- Furniture from multiple generations
- Household goods and tools
- Clothing and textiles
- Decorative arts
Agricultural Records
[edit | edit source]Documentation of the property's agricultural past:
- Farm records
- Garden plans
- Agricultural experiments
- Seed catalogs
Visiting Wyck
[edit | edit source]Hours
[edit | edit source]- Check website for current hours (typically seasonal)
- Tours by appointment recommended
- Special events throughout the year
Admission
[edit | edit source]- Check website for current pricing
- Tours included with admission
- Group rates available
Tips
[edit | edit source]- The rose garden is spectacular in late May/June
- Wyck's story of 300 years of family life is unique
- The working gardens are worth exploring
- Good for those interested in domestic history
Getting There
[edit | edit source]- SEPTA Regional Rail: Chelten Avenue Station (15-minute walk)
- SEPTA Bus: Route 23
- By Car: On Germantown Avenue
- Parking: On-site parking
Nearby Attractions
[edit | edit source]- Johnson House (1 block)
- Cliveden (3 blocks)
- Germantown, Philadelphia
- Stenton (1 mile)
Programs
[edit | edit source]Educational Programs
[edit | edit source]- School programs
- Public tours
- Family activities
Garden Programs
[edit | edit source]- Rose garden tours
- Gardening workshops
- Seed saving programs
- Farm programs
Events
[edit | edit source]- Rose garden party (June)
- Seasonal celebrations
- Community events
See Also
[edit | edit source]- Germantown, Philadelphia
- Quakers in Philadelphia
- Historic Gardens in Philadelphia
- Cliveden
- Johnson House
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "About Wyck". Wyck. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "Wyck". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025