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
this page online
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 57.015′ N, 75° 8.995′ W. Marker was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It was in William Penn Annex East. It was on Market Street (County Road 2004) just east of South 6th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 101 S Independence Mall W, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named The President's House Site (here, next to this marker); Ona Judge Seizes Her Freedom / Hercules Flees to Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Fighting for Freedom (a few steps from this marker); History Lost & Found (a few steps from this marker); The Constitution and Slavery (a few steps from this marker); Presidents Washington and Adams on Slavery (a few steps from this marker); Slavery in the British Colonies (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).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker, which does not acknowledge that President Washington enslaved people.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2,742 times since then and 2,403 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
