Last Mayor of Philadelphia under British Rule -- Samuel Powel
N 39° 56.740 W 075° 08.788
18S E 487487 N 4421737
Samuel Powel was serving as the mayor of Philadelphia when the Continental Congress declared independence from Britain. He is therefore the last Mayor of Philadelphia under British rule.
Waymark Code: WMF5X2
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 08/28/2012
Views: 3
The home now known as the Powel House was built in 1765 in the Colonial Georgian style. Samuel Powel purchased the house in 1769, and lived here until his death in 1793.
Samuel Powel served as Mayor of Philadelphia twice: From 1775-1776, and again from 1789-1790. He became known as the "Patriot Mayor," since he was the LAST Mayor of Philadephia under British rule, and the FIRST Mayor of Philadelphia after the Revolution.
As Mayor, he entertained notable local powerful or political people in his home. Ben Franklin, George Washington, Benjamin Rush, John Adams, the Marquis de Lafayette, and other notables all visited the Mayor here. There is no indication that George Washington ever slept here, however.
The Powel House was almost razed in the 1930s. Its architectural details had been sold off by prior owners, and the home converted to a warehouse. When word of its imminent demolition spread, a group of Philadelphia society ladies formed the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, and saved the building. They raised money and restored the home to its former glory over mnany years. It is now open for tours.
The house and grounds are well worth a visit. It's fun to imagine the kinds of dinner party conversations that happened here.
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parking coordinates: N 39° 56.740 W 075° 08.788
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