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Philadelphia - Society Hill Historic District

The area of higher ground to the south of Walnut Street and east of Washington Square, extending almost to Penn's Landing, is called Society Hill after the Free Society of Traders founded by William Penn. Many politicians of the revolutionary period lived in this area, and some of their houses are preserved.
Society Hill lies south of Independence Historic National Park.

Must-see attractions nearby:
It's a fine residential neighborhood with buildings dating back to the eighteenth-century. The area is noted for its mix of colonial and newer homes, renovated warehouses, art galleries and upscale apartments. Attractions in and around this area include Washington Square, the Polish American Cultural Center and Old St. Mary's Church.

Related Attractions

Antiquarian's Delight
The South Street Antiques Market is the city's only indoor market with 25 dealers selling everything from jewelry, furniture, pottery, toys to clothing.
Athenaeum of Philadelphia
The Anthenaeum of Philadelphia is a three-story Italianate Revival building named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. Founded in 1814, the special colelctions include changing exhibits on American fine and decorative arts from the early to mid 1800s.
Address
Anthenaeum of Philadelphia
219 South Sixth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3794
United States
Phone 1 (215) 925-2688
Fax 1 (215) 925-3755
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:009:009:009:009:00ClosedClosed
Close17:0017:0017:0017:0017:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January )
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May )
American Independance Day (July 4)
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Tips
Open first Saturday of each month 10am - 2pm.
Head House Square
Head House Square has been a street market since 1745.
Physick House
Physick House was the home of the "Father of American Surgery", Dr. Philip Syng Physick. It is the only free-standing house in Society Hill and is fully restored containing Federal furniture. The doctor lived here from 1815 until his death in 1837, and his descendants lived here until 1941.

A room honoring Dr. Physick and his many surgical inventions is also on the second floor. On display are a 19th-century garden, silver and porcelain.
Address
Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks
321 South Fourth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-4218
United States
Phone 1 (215) 925-2251
Fax 1 (215) 925-7909
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosedClosed12:0012:0012:0013:00
Close 16:0016:0016:0016:00
Cost
Family$ 12.00
Adult$ 5.00
Students$ 4.00
Senior$ 4.00
Child 6 & underFREE
All values are in United States Dollars
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Polish American Cultural Center
The Polish American Cultural Center has displays of Polish history, culture and paintings of notable Poles, a pictorial display of Poland at Arms with WWII photographs from 1939-1944.
Address
Polish American Cultural Center
308 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3808
United States
Phone 1 (215) 922-1700
Fax 1 (215) 922-1518
Hours
January 1 to April 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open10:0010:0010:0010:0010:00ClosedClosed
Close16:0016:0016:0016:0016:00
May 1 to December 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0010:00Closed
Close16:0016:0016:0016:0016:0016:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Facilities
Gift shop
Powel House
The Georgian-style Powel House at 244 South 3rd Street was built in 1765 by Samuel Powel, a popular mayor of Philadelphia. South-east of this is the Trouble Tavern (1759).
The house features eighteenth-century art, furniture, porcelain and silver.
Cost
Family$ 12.00
Adult$ 5.00
Students$ 4.00
Senior$ 4.00
Child 6 & underFREE
All values are in United States Dollars
South Street
South Street is an entertainment area of more than 75 restaurants, 150 shops, and numberous nightclubs and theaters.
St Peter's Church
St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia is a colonial Episcopal Church that was built in 1761. The spire was designed by William Strickland in 1842 while the church's bells came from the Whitechapel Foundry in London where the Liberty Bell was made. The interior features the original organ case, box pews, including number 41 where Washington sat. Buried in the churchyard are several national and local historical figures.
Address
St. Peter's Church
313 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-4299
United States
Phone 1 (215) 925-5968
Fax 1 (215) 925-4331
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
Theaddeus Kosciuszko was a Polish military engineer who fought for the American cause during the Revolutionary War. He lived here from 1797-8 and this house serves as a memorial to him. Surrounding the house are many eighteenth-century homes and churches.
Address
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
301 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-4212
United States
Phone 1 (215) 597-7130
Fax 1 (215) 597-0321
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosed12:0012:0012:0012:0012:00
Close 16:0016:0016:0016:0016:00
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the only tomb in America erected to the memory of the unknown Revolutionary War soldiers. In 1976, an eternal flame was installed.
Washington Square
South-east of Independence Hall, in Washington Square, once the burial-place of those who died in the fight for independence, is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution, with an eternal flame.
Clock on historic building, Society Hill, Philadelphia.
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