1829 N 33rd St

Strawberry Mansion in the Northwest area of Philadelphia. Its name is as charming as the story of where it came from; a restaurant that served decadent strawberries and cream back in 1846. Once a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and home to some of the wealthiest Philadelphians, in 2000, Strawberry Mansion had some of the lowest home prices in Philly. Today you will find low and high priced homes mixing in various neighborhood pockets. Close proximity to East Fairmont Park means new construction moving in, and renovations are becoming more popular in this area. THE MANSION Historic Strawberry Mansion is celebrated as the largest of the Fairmount Park Historic Houses, and filled with antiques, fine art, and collectible treasures from the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Formerly known as “Summerville,” the center section of Strawberry Mansion was built in the Federal style in 1789 by renowned abolitionist lawyer, judge, and state legislator William Lewis. THE EARLY YEARS Summerville’s second prominent resident, Judge Joseph Hemphill, added the two expansive Greek Revival wings which create the exterior facade today. During the period from 1846 to 1867, when farmers renting the mansion served strawberries and cream to the public, Historic Strawberry Mansion received its current name – which was later extended to the adjacent Philadelphia neighborhood of Strawberry Mansion. Formerly known as “Summerville,” the center section of Strawberry Mansion was built in the Federal style around 1789 by renowned lawyer, judge and state legislator, William Lewis (1752-1819). During his lifetime, Lewis dominated the American legal field and took on countless high profile cases involving slavery, British debts, privateering, and most famously, the Aaron Burr treason case. He is credited for drafting the first law in the US abolishing slavery and was an advisor to both George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. Summerville’s second prominent resident, Judge Joseph Hemphill (1770-1842), added the two expansive Greek Revival wings which create the exterior of the house as we recognize it today. Hemphill had a distinguished record, serving as Judge of Philadelphia’s District Court, being elected six times to Congress and completing three terms in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives. Hemphill also invested in pottery manufacturing, producing with William Ellis Tucker “Tucker-Hemphill” porcelain. THE PARK YEARS Hemphill’s death 1842 led to the mansion being rented to many tenants, including the gardeners responsible for the new name “Strawberry Mansion.” In 1868, Strawberry Mansion became part of Fairmount Park and was used as a restaurant. During the Victorian period, Strawberry Mansion became an immensely popular institution that gave its name to the nearby neighborhood and adjacent bridge over the Schuylkill. The mansion continued to be a restaurant and popular picnic spot into the twentieth century. During the preparations for the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the United states in 1926, a group of civic-minded women formed the Committee of 1926 and took over the administration of the building as a historic house museum. Strawberry Mansion has extensive grounds and features a large collection of American and European decorative arts and antiques in its many rooms, including a rare Empire style ballroom with original furniture. —