Things to do nearPresident's House Site

The President's House Site marks the location of a large Georgian townhouse that served as the executive residence from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the nation's capital. George Washington lived here for most of his two terms, and John Adams occupied the house until the capital moved to Washington, D.C. The building was demolished in the early nineteenth century, and the site lay largely forgotten beneath a streetscape for nearly two hundred years.

A sustained campaign by historians and community advocates led to the creation of the current memorial, which opened in 2010. Designers preserved and exposed portions of the original foundation walls beneath glass flooring, so visitors can peer down at the physical remnants of the house. Bronze sculptures, recorded oral histories, and detailed panels recount the lives of the nine enslaved people Washington brought to Philadelphia, illuminating the moral contradictions at the heart of the early republic.

The site sits within Independence National Historical Park, placing it steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. A short walk brings you to Reading Terminal Market for a meal after your visit. The President's House Site is essential for anyone who wants an honest, layered understanding of American history.