|
 |
|
30 Minute Walk – Secret Parks and Gardens in Historic Society Hill
Covers sites within walking distance or a short taxi ride from Center City hotels
|
Independence Park
Photo by G. Widman
|
Location:
Philadelphia’s Society Hill neighborhood
Transportation:
Walking
Duration:
30 minutes
Take a brief trip back in time and explore the cobblestone streets of Society Hill, founded in the 1860s by the Free Society of Traders, a stock trading company associated with Pennsylvania founder William Penn.
A significant part of Philadelphia’s historic landscape, this charming district is dotted with pocket parks and flowering gardens, adding greenery and color to its handsome brick architecture. As you walk, look for the navy blue signs that provide details of Society Hill’s various historic sites.
Historic Society Hill
|
Independence Hall
Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
|
Begin your walking tour at 4th and Pine Streets in front of Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church, the only remaining pre-Revolutionary Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. It inherited the nickname, “Church of the Patriots,” as a result of colonial Pastor George Duffield’s fervent pro-independence sermons. (Around the corner at Lombard and 5th Street is the Presbyterian Historical Society, if you’re interested in exploring the Church’s history in depth.)
Walk one block east on Pine to 3rd Street and Saint Peter's Church, built in 1761 to accommodate overflow Episcopalian crowds from Christ Church in nearby Old City.
Stroll just a bit farther down Pine Street and you’ll find yourself in Head House Square, the city’s oldest open-air marketplace that still welcomes artists and street entertainment during the warmer months.
Double back on Pine Street from the square to 3rd Street. On the corner is the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, home of the Polish military engineer and soldier who played a key role in several American victories over the British during the Revolutionary War.
From Pine Street, turn onto St. Peter's Way, the alley between 3rd and 4th streets, to Delancey Street and Three Bears Park, a favorite of neighborhood families for its traffic-free play area and climbing structure.
On the corner of Delancey at 4th Street, is the Physick House, Society Hill’s sole freestanding residence where Dr. Philip Syng Physick, “Father of American Surgery,” lived from 1815 to 1837. The Physick House features 32 beautifully restored rooms, fine Federal and Empire furniture, and a lovely garden.
Head north on 3rd Street, cross over Spruce Street, and arrive at the Powel House, a circa 1765 mid-Georgian mansion once owned by Samuel Powel, Philadelphia’s last mayor under British rule. Mr. Powel and his wife, Elizabeth, entertained such notables as George and Martha Washington, Ben Franklin, and John Adams in their lavish dining room and elegant formal gardens.
Although not open to the public, many other lovely row houses are located on 3rd Street and include the Penn-Chew House (no. 242), once owned by the grandson of William Penn. Also on 3rd Street is Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, built in 1761 and featuring stately wrought-iron gates and marble-topped enclosing walls. A parish church until 1901, St. Paul’s now serves as headquarters of Episcopal Community Services.
Return to Spruce Street, turn right and walk one block to 4th Street. Just around the corner on 4th (between Locust & Spruce) is Old Saint Mary’s Church, which became the first Roman Catholic cathedral of the Philadelphia Archdiocese in 1808. Several famous colonial figures are buried in the adjoining churchyard.
Continue past Saint Mary’s to Bingham Court, near 4th and Locust Streets. Famed architect I.M. Pei designed the courtyard and surrounding homes here in 1967 as a modern take on a traditional 18th century mews. Go left at the Unity Sculpture. Cross 4th Street and continue on Locust Street, passing the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, a building that combines two beautiful row houses built in 1750 and 1826 respectively. On the left is the Magnolia Garden, inspired by George Washington’s reported love of magnolia trees. (The 13 magnolias that border the garden represent the 13 original colonies); to the right is the Rose Garden, commemorating the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. An 18th century cobblestone pathway leads to the antique roses, which reach their peak in June.
Just beyond the Rose Garden (south of Walnut Street on 4th) stands Old Saint Joseph’s Church, the city’s oldest in the Roman Catholic Diocese. Enter the courtyard from Willing’s Alley, off 4th Street, and look for the plaque acknowledging William Penn and his establishment of the 1701 Charter of Privileges, granting religious toleration in the colony.
Back on the corner of 4th and Walnut you’ll find the 18th Century Garden, a lovely collection of flowering seasonal plants and small fruit trees adjoining the Todd House. John Todd Jr. lived here with his wife Dolley, who later married future president James Madison after Todd fell victim to the 1793 yellow fever epidemic.
One block east, at 3rd and Walnut Streets, stop to admire the Boxwood Garden, another classic 18th century-style garden featuring symmetrical planters bordered by low boxwood hedges. The stately Philadelphia Exchange stands on the corner.
You’ll also pass the Bishop White House as you walk along this lovely stretch of row houses on Walnut Street. Dr. William White, a good friend of Benjamin Franklin’s, broke with the Anglican Church and founded Episcopalianism in Philadelphia. He also entertained many Philadelphia VIPs in his magnificent 1787 residence.
Cross Walnut Street and enter Independence National Historic Park. Look for the sculpture of Robert Morris, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Across the park's sprawling green is the Greek Revival-style Second Bank of the United States, now home to the National Portrait Gallery.
Continuing along Walnut Street, cross 5th Street past Independence Hall. At 6th Street, you’ll find the Curtis Center, where Ladies Home Journal and the Saturday Evening Post were published. Enter at the 6th Street entrance to behold a garden of a different sort—a 15 x 49-foot, 24 panel mosaic entitled Dream Garden, which was commissioned by publisher Cyrus Curtis to adorn his headquarters. Assembling over 100,000 pieces of favrile glass, artist Louis Comfort Tiffany created the striking mosaic that is based on a painting by Philadelphia native Maxfield Parrish.
Head back outside and cross the intersection of 6th and Walnut Streets to enter Washington Square, one of William Penn's five original squares and the burial ground of 1,000 Revolutionary War soldiers who are remembered in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Take a moment to relax after your walking tour here in this pleasant urban oasis.
|