Laurel Hill Mansion
| Laurel Hill Mansion | |
|---|---|
| Type | Historic house / Event venue |
| Location | Fairmount Park (East) |
| Coordinates | 40.0020,-75.1880 |
| Area | Part of East Fairmount Park |
| Established | c. 1767 |
| Operated by | Women for Greater Philadelphia |
| Features | Georgian mansion, river views, event venue |
| Hours | Limited public access; events and tours |
| Transit | SEPTA bus 32; drive recommended |
| Website | Official Site |
Laurel Hill Mansion is a Georgian mansion overlooking the Schuylkill River in East Fairmount Park, not to be confused with nearby Laurel Hill Cemetery. Built around 1767, the house served as a summer retreat and later became associated with Rebecca Rawle, a Loyalist widow during the American Revolution. Today the mansion operates as an event venue while offering occasional public tours.[1]
Laurel Hill offers one of the most dramatic river views of any Fairmount Park mansion.
History[edit | edit source]
Construction[edit | edit source]
Built around 1767:
- Originally called "Laurel" for the mountain laurel
- Georgian architectural style
- Summer retreat from the city
- Dramatic river bluff setting
Rebecca Rawle[edit | edit source]
Rebecca Rawle (later Shoemaker) connection:
- Occupied during Revolution
- Loyalist sympathies
- Her diary documented the era
- Complex Revolutionary War history
Park Acquisition[edit | edit source]
- Acquired for Fairmount Park
- Various uses over years
- Restored as historic site
- Women for Greater Philadelphia stewardship
Women for Greater Philadelphia[edit | edit source]
The organization has maintained the mansion:
- Preservation and restoration
- Event programming
- Public education
- Community use
Features[edit | edit source]
Architecture[edit | edit source]
Georgian style:
- Mid-18th century construction
- Symmetrical design
- Period details
- Multiple building periods
Views[edit | edit source]
Spectacular Schuylkill views:
- High bluff overlooking river
- Kelly Drive visible below
- One of the best mansion viewpoints
- Dramatic natural setting
Interior[edit | edit source]
- Period architectural details
- Event spaces
- Historic interpretation
- Restored rooms
Grounds[edit | edit source]
- Terraced landscaping
- River views
- Historic plantings
- East Fairmount Park setting
Visiting[edit | edit source]
Public Access[edit | edit source]
- Limited public hours
- Occasional tours
- Special events
- Check website for schedule
Events[edit | edit source]
The mansion hosts:
- Weddings and receptions
- Private events
- Educational programs
- Community gatherings
Getting There[edit | edit source]
Location: Edgely Drive, East Fairmount Park
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA Bus 32
- Driving recommended
By Car:
- Enter East Fairmount Park
- Follow signs to Laurel Hill
Tips[edit | edit source]
- The views alone are worth the visit
- Check for tour dates
- Don't confuse with Laurel Hill Cemetery (nearby but separate)
- Dramatic sunset views
Nearby[edit | edit source]
- Laurel Hill Cemetery — Nearby (separate site)
- Fairmount Park — Surrounding park
- Strawberry Mansion — Nearby
- Woodford Mansion — Nearby
- Kelly Drive — Below the mansion
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Laurel Hill Mansion". Women for Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025