Bladen's Court

Bladen's Court. . , This small alley originated between 1749 and 1752. It served two properties that faced onto Front Street whose owners wanted outside access to their backyards. Each of the owners paid half of the cost of paving and cleaning the nine-foot cartway., The two original owners , William Rush and his brother-in-law Abraham Carlisle , , held opposing political beliefs during the American Revolution. Rush allied himself with the patriot cause. Carlisle, however, was hanged in 1778 for his collaboration with the British during their occupation of Philadelphia the previous year. , Today, this small alley and its courtyard are known as Bladen's Court. They are named after William Bladen, a biscuit maker, who owned the property during the early 1800's. , Founded in 1934, the Elfreth's Alley Association is one of the oldest historic preservation organizations in Philadelphia. In this 1940's photograph, open house volunteers don colonial costumes. Events like these helped to raise awareness and funds for the preservation of the historic structures of Elfreth's Alley. , You too can help the Elfreth's Alley Association, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, continue to preserve and interpret the historic structures of Elfreth's Alley. Please visit the museum for information and tours or www.elfrethsalley.org to learn more.