William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gilbert Stuart House
The new 3-1/2 story brick house on this site in 1795 was ideally located for artist Gilbert Stuart. All of America's national leaders were close at hand. The U.S. Congress met only one block away, the Supreme Court held sessions across the street, and President George Washington lived minutes away.
Only through the skill of the artist could the likenesses of the rich and famous be preserved. Washington, like many others, stoically endured the boredom of sitting for hours while the artist sketched.
Erected by Independence National Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.
Location. 39° 56.935′ N, 75° 8.944′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. Marker is at the intersection of South 5th Street and Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling north on South 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 433 S 5th St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Signer (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Signer (a few steps from this marker); Library of the American Philosophical Society (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Signer (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Signer (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Signer (a few steps from this marker); Old City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Peale’s Mastodon, 2017 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Regarding Gilbert Stuart House. Round Inset
Self-portrait of Gilbert Stuart about 1786. Courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Large Portrait
Portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, 1797, oil on canvas. Courtesy The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
The house no longer exist.
Also see . . . Gilbert Stuart at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,501 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 16, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on January 7, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.