Before us stands Letitia Street House a modest eighteenth-century dwelling. It whispers tales of a city’s evolving identity. Once nestled along the Delaware riverfront around 1713, the Letitia Street House now resides in West Fairmount Park.
Letitia Street House narrowly escaped demolition in the late 1800s. Philadelphia saved it and moved it to its current location in 1883. For years, it served as a house museum. Later, it became an office for the Wildlife Preservation Trust International and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Letitia Street House has a surprising past. It was once thought to be the residence of William Penn. He was the founder of Philadelphia. However, history reveals that Penn never actually lived here. The Letitia Street House was likely built by Thomas Chalkley. He was a merchant and Quaker preacher.
Letitia Penn’s name lives on in the city. Letitia Street cuts through a Philadelphia block. It was named in her honor. She was William Penn’s daughter.
The house has seen many changes. In 2013, a restoration project began using city funds. The exterior was restored. A geothermal heating system was installed. The Letitia Street House became handicap accessible.
Even graduate students from the University of Pennsylvania contributed. They performed a paint analysis to choose appropriate colors and finishes for the Letitia Street House.
In 2015, Centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation became a tenant. The organization saw the potential in this underutilized space. They wanted to bridge the gap between East Parkside and the Park.
The Centennial Parkside CDC is the first tenant of the Letitia Street House since 2008.
An $80000 grant from the William Penn Foundation helped. It allowed for plaster restoration, electrical work, and flooring repairs. A new kitchenette was also added to the Letitia Street House.
The Letitia Street House physical transformation is complete. Yet, it is just the beginning for the Parkside community. An acre of land around the Letitia Street House is being transformed. It will become a community gathering space for gardening and outdoor events.
Although the Letitia Street House isn’t directly tied to William Penn, it is still significant. It is a rare example of an Early Georgian city house. Its relocation in 1883 shows an early commitment to historic preservation.