Chain of Colonial Houses

Philadelphia’s colonial legacy comes alive in this richly illustrated tour of eight historic homes nestled in Fairmount Park. The narrative guides listeners through the city’s pivotal role in the birth of a nation, while celebrating the meticulous preservation work of local institutions and generous citizens who have saved these architectural treasures for future generations.

From the sturdy stone cottages of Belmont and Woodford to the elegant Georgian façades of Cedar Grove and the later Adam‑style grace of Sweetbrier, each house is described with vivid detail. Listeners will hear about bold classic doorways, intricate Chippendale carvings, and the subtle shift toward Greek‑Revival restraint. Along the way, anecdotes about original owners, restoration efforts, and surviving period furnishings bring the rooms to life, offering a window into 18th‑century domestic elegance without revealing the story’s later chapters.