Woodford Mansion
| Woodford Mansion | |
|---|---|
| Type | Historic house museum / Park grounds |
| Location | Fairmount Park (East) |
| Coordinates | 39.9900,-75.1800 |
| Area | Part of East Fairmount Park |
| Established | c. 1756 (house) |
| Operated by | Naomi Wood Collection / Philadelphia Museum of Art |
| Features | Georgian mansion, colonial decorative arts, period furnishings |
| Hours | By appointment |
| Transit | SEPTA bus 32; drive recommended |
| Website | Official Site |
Woodford Mansion is a Georgian mansion in East Fairmount Park, housing one of the finest collections of colonial American decorative arts in the country. Built around 1756, the house contains the Naomi Wood Collection of 18th-century furniture, ceramics, and household objects displayed in period room settings.[1]
Woodford offers an intimate glimpse into colonial Philadelphia domestic life.
History
[edit | edit source]Construction
[edit | edit source]Woodford was built around 1756:
- Georgian architectural style
- Country estate outside colonial city
- Several early owners
- Reflects colonial prosperity
William Coleman
[edit | edit source]Judge William Coleman owned the house:
- Friend of Benjamin Franklin
- Prominent colonial Philadelphian
- Expanded and improved the property
David Franks
[edit | edit source]David Franks also owned Woodford:
- Wealthy colonial merchant
- Loyalist during Revolution
- Property confiscated during war
Park Acquisition
[edit | edit source]- Acquired for Fairmount Park (19th century)
- Preserved as historic site
- Became house museum
Naomi Wood Collection
[edit | edit source]Naomi Wood (1861-1953) assembled the collection:
- Dedicated collector of colonial decorative arts
- Bequeathed collection to the city
- Installed at Woodford for public benefit
- Maintained by partnership with Philadelphia Museum of Art
Features
[edit | edit source]Architecture
[edit | edit source]Georgian colonial design:
- Symmetrical facade
- Central hall plan
- Period proportions
- Original architectural details
The Collection
[edit | edit source]Naomi Wood Collection includes:
- Colonial American furniture
- English and American ceramics
- Textiles and needlework
- Silver and metalwork
- Household objects
- Period room settings
Period Rooms
[edit | edit source]Rooms furnished to show:
- 18th-century domestic life
- Colonial Philadelphia taste
- Everyday objects and fine pieces
- How colonists lived
Grounds
[edit | edit source]Estate setting:
- East Fairmount Park surroundings
- Historic landscape
- Walking paths nearby
Visiting
[edit | edit source]Tours
[edit | edit source]- By appointment
- Small group tours
- Docent-led interpretation
- Focus on decorative arts
Hours
[edit | edit source]- By appointment only
- Contact for scheduling
- Special event openings
Admission
[edit | edit source]- Small fee for tours
- Grounds free (part of Fairmount Park)
Getting There
[edit | edit source]Location: East Fairmount Park (near 33rd and Dauphin)
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA Bus 32
- Limited—driving recommended
By Car:
- Drive into East Fairmount Park
- Park near mansion
Tips
[edit | edit source]- Call ahead—tours by appointment
- Interest in decorative arts enhances visit
- Combine with other park mansions
- The collection is exceptional for specialists
Significance
[edit | edit source]Woodford's importance:
- Outstanding decorative arts collection
- Preserved colonial architecture
- Window into 18th-century Philadelphia life
- Accessible museum setting
Nearby
[edit | edit source]- Fairmount Park — Surrounding park
- Strawberry Mansion — Nearby mansion
- Laurel Hill Cemetery — Across river
- Smith Memorial Playground — Nearby
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Woodford Mansion". Naomi Wood Collection. Retrieved December 30, 2025