Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Jacob Rittenhouse Home at RittenhouseTown
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
1. The Jacob Rittenhouse Home at RittenhouseTown Marker
An integral part of the original Rittenhouse Town landscape, the circa 1811 Jacob Rittenhouse Home is the largest and most imposing of all surviving structures and occupies a central location along the village road. It is a house that paper making built and as such is important to the interpretation of the village as the site of British North Americas first paper mill. Constructed at the end of the era of water driven paper mills, the homes transitional architectural style incorporating vernacular German elements with Federal and Revival styles, echoes the moment of transition from water to steam.
Today the Jacob Rittenhouse Home is the focus of a major fundraising effort. Our goal is to restore the building in keeping with its 19th century origins and adaptively reuse it for income and educational space.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1811.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 40° 1.77′ N, 75° 11.454′ W. Marker was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It was in Wissahickon Valley
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Pennsylvania. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Battle of Germantown (a few steps from this marker); Rittenhouse Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Homestead (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); David Rittenhouse (about 300 feet away); Rittenhouse Homestead (about 300 feet away); Colonial Herb Garden
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
2. The Jacob Rittenhouse Home at RittenhouseTown Marker
Also see . . . Historic RittenhouseTown – A National Landmark District. (Submitted on October 6, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Additional commentary.
1. About the profile
At the time that this was included in the Database, banners were sometimes welcomed for their own profiles. The guidance has since been tightened.
— Submitted January 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
3. The Jacob Rittenhouse Home
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,200 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
