Laurel Hill Mansion
| Laurel Hill Mansion | |
|---|---|
| Type | Historic house / Event venue |
| Location | Fairmount Park (East) |
| Coordinates | 40.0020,-75.1880 |
| Area | Part of East Fairmount Park |
| Established | c. 1767 |
| Operated by | Women for Greater Philadelphia |
| Features | Georgian mansion, river views, event venue |
| Hours | Limited public access; events and tours |
| Transit | SEPTA bus 32; drive recommended |
| Website | Official Site |
Laurel Hill Mansion is a Georgian mansion overlooking the Schuylkill River in East Fairmount Park, not to be confused with nearby Laurel Hill Cemetery. Built around 1767, the house served as a summer retreat and later became associated with Rebecca Rawle, a Loyalist widow during the American Revolution. Today the mansion operates as an event venue while offering occasional public tours.[1]
Laurel Hill offers one of the most dramatic river views of any Fairmount Park mansion.
History
[edit | edit source]Construction
[edit | edit source]Built around 1767:
- Originally called "Laurel" for the mountain laurel
- Georgian architectural style
- Summer retreat from the city
- Dramatic river bluff setting
Rebecca Rawle
[edit | edit source]Rebecca Rawle (later Shoemaker) connection:
- Occupied during Revolution
- Loyalist sympathies
- Her diary documented the era
- Complex Revolutionary War history
Park Acquisition
[edit | edit source]- Acquired for Fairmount Park
- Various uses over years
- Restored as historic site
- Women for Greater Philadelphia stewardship
Women for Greater Philadelphia
[edit | edit source]The organization has maintained the mansion:
- Preservation and restoration
- Event programming
- Public education
- Community use
Features
[edit | edit source]Architecture
[edit | edit source]Georgian style:
- Mid-18th century construction
- Symmetrical design
- Period details
- Multiple building periods
Views
[edit | edit source]Spectacular Schuylkill views:
- High bluff overlooking river
- Kelly Drive visible below
- One of the best mansion viewpoints
- Dramatic natural setting
Interior
[edit | edit source]- Period architectural details
- Event spaces
- Historic interpretation
- Restored rooms
Grounds
[edit | edit source]- Terraced landscaping
- River views
- Historic plantings
- East Fairmount Park setting
Visiting
[edit | edit source]Public Access
[edit | edit source]- Limited public hours
- Occasional tours
- Special events
- Check website for schedule
Events
[edit | edit source]The mansion hosts:
- Weddings and receptions
- Private events
- Educational programs
- Community gatherings
Getting There
[edit | edit source]Location: Edgely Drive, East Fairmount Park
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA Bus 32
- Driving recommended
By Car:
- Enter East Fairmount Park
- Follow signs to Laurel Hill
Tips
[edit | edit source]- The views alone are worth the visit
- Check for tour dates
- Don't confuse with Laurel Hill Cemetery (nearby but separate)
- Dramatic sunset views
Nearby
[edit | edit source]- Laurel Hill Cemetery — Nearby (separate site)
- Fairmount Park — Surrounding park
- Strawberry Mansion — Nearby
- Woodford Mansion — Nearby
- Kelly Drive — Below the mansion
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Laurel Hill Mansion". Women for Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025