Upsala Mansion

Have you ever heard of a mansion that has a connection to the American Revolution? Upsala Mansion, a beautiful brick building, stands before you at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Johnson Street in Philadelphia. It’s a fine example of Federal architecture and a testament to the resilience of history. During the 1777 Battle of Germantown, soldiers of the Continental Army gathered on the lawn of Upsala Mansion, prepping for battle against British forces across the street at Cliveden. They pointed cannons at Cliveden, but those days are long gone. Upsala Mansion was built in 1798 by John Johnson, III, a Quaker who was one of the earliest settlers in Germantown. He and his family lived in the house for almost 150 years, until the 1930s. Upsala Mansion was almost demolished to make way for a supermarket. Fortunately, a group of preservationists came together in 1944 and saved the mansion by turning it into a museum. They even put it on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum closed in the early 2000s due to low visitor numbers. Today, Upsala Mansion is a private home again. It’s amazing for its historical significance and its modern makeover.