Free or discounted entry for members of NARM.
Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks | Grumblethorpe Historic House and Garden
About this place
The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks is an 87 year old non-profit that is dedicated to maintaining and preserving its four historic house museums: the Powel House, Grumblethorpe Historic House and Garden, Hill-Physick House and Historic Waynesborough. Grumblethorpe Historic House and Garden Built in 1744, Grumblethorpe House and Gardens was the home to the Wister family, a prominent Quaker family in Philadelphia who dabbled in botany, science, astronomy and more. Sally Wister’s teenage diary was made ever more dramatic by the battles of the American Revolution taking place near her family’s home. “John Wister’s Big House,” a quintessential example of Pennsylvania German architecture, was occupied by British Brigadier-General James Agnew in 1777, just a few days before the Battle of Germantown. While riding to battle ahead of his troops, the General was taken off-guard running headlong into enemy troops some 100 strong. He received a fatal shot in his back as he turned to escape. Agnew’s soldiers–along with this faithful servant Alexander Andrew–carried him back to the house, where he subsequently bled to death on the parlor floor. (Yes, the stain remains!) The Wister family’s impact on horticulture can still be found within the remaining two acres of flower and vegetable beds. A massive fruiting Ginkgo tree towers over the property—reputed to have grown from a seedling brought from England in 1754, it is known to be the oldest in existence in America. Third generation occupant, Charles Wister Sr., is thought to have influenced botanist Thomas Nuttal in the naming of Wisteria sinensis, the climbing vine whose beautiful blue flowers still bloom on the property each spring. Charles Sr., who renamed the house Grumblethorpe, is also noted for his finely-crafted scientific tools—including an observatory he built on site—and his pioneering weather diary which is still referenced today. Contact to schedule a private tour!
If you are a member here
A membership to Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks | Grumblethorpe Historic House and Garden carries reciprocal admission, so the same card is worth free or discounted entry at other places in this program.
- the full NARM list Art, history and cultural institutions. Not valid within 15 miles of here.
Reciprocal programs are built for travel and most exclude places close to the one where you hold your membership, so this is worth the most when you are away from home. How reciprocal memberships work