![]() ![]() Samuel Powel III was born on October 28, 1738, in Philadelphia, PA, to Samuel and Mary Morris Powel. The fact that “this was the house where George Washington danced” became the rallying cry, inspiring PhilaLandmarks’ Founder Frances Anne Wister to corral her wealthy friends to purchase this historic house and save it from destruction. By 1931, the Powel House had deteriorated significantly and faced its greatest risk - demolition to make way for a parking lot. The property’s newest owner (1904) Wolf Klebanksy was using the house for warehousing his horsehair and bristle business. In the late 19th century, the Powel House stood witness as the “Old City” neighborhood was industrialized. Elizabeth Powel became one of George Washington’s closest confidants, before, during and after his Presidency. She not only lavishly entertained the political elite during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, but she was also educated, smart, and had a powerful, opinionated voice. His wife Elizabeth Willing Powel was an equally seminal figure in our country’s founding. Powel was not only a real estate mogul, land investor, merchant, politician, and trustee, but he was among the richest men in Philadelphia. Samuel Powel is often called the “Patriot Mayor,” serving as the last mayor under the British Crown and the first mayor in our new American republic. Nicholas Bernard and Martin Jugiez carved the stunning mahogany staircase. Hercules Courtenay carved the exquisite ornamental mantel, along with the cornices, paneling and baseboards. James Claw created the elaborate Rococo design of the carved ceilings in the ballroom. The Powels hired Philadelphia’s leading carvers and craftsmen to decorate the house’s principal rooms. As newlyweds, he and his new bride, Elizabeth Willing Powel, immediately began redesigning the house’s interior. In 1769, Samuel Powel purchased this newly built house from the merchant and land speculator Charles Stedman. Built in 1765, the three-bay, red-brick Powel House is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the United States. ![]()
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