William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The President's House Site
Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation
| | Independence National Historical Park, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Presidents Washington and Adams lived on this site in the 1790s when Philadelphia served as the nation's temporary capital. Both presidents worked to preserve the freedoms won by the American Revolution while accepting that nearly 700,000 people of African descent remained enslaved in the new nation. At his Virginia plantation, George Washington oversaw more than 300 enslaved people, nine of whom served in his Philadelphia household. John and Abigail Adams never owned enslaved laborers. Hired servants, including free and possibly enslaved African Americans, performed daily tasks in the Adams household.
The house that once stood on this site was torn down in 1832. In 2007, archeologists exposed foundation walls outlining the location of the kitchen and adjoining basement passage where enslaved and free servants toiled for the Washington family. Nearby remnants of a bow window revealed an addition to the State Dining Room.
Public interest in the site and its history, supported by the City of Philadelphia, led to the creation of this exhibit. The enslaved men, women, and children who lived here remind us of the paradox of liberty and slavery in our nation's history.
Erected by National
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Anthropology & Archaeology • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, the Former U.S. Presidents: #02 John Adams, and the George Washington Slept Here series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 39° 57.015′ N, 75° 8.995′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is on Market Street (County Road 2004) just east of South 6th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 S Independence Mall W, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The People's Plaza (a few steps from this marker); "I and my household" (a few steps from this marker); History Lost & Found (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (a few steps from this marker); Notable Liberty Medal Ceremonies (a few steps from this marker); Washington's Death and a Renewed Hope for Freedom (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Other markers no longer nearby. "Freedom might be too great a temptation" (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); " is hereby empowered to sieze such Fugitives" (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Life Under Slavery (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2,375 times since then and 2,036 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
