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All the United States Pennsylvania Philadelphia Germantown White House

Germantown White House

The oldest surviving presidential residence in the United States.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
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The Germantown White House, a.k.a. the Deshler-Morris House.   Tom Bastin
The Germantown White House, a.k.a. the Deshler-Morris House.   Tom Bastin
Looking a bit rough in 2023.   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Washington’s office   lilycoryell / Atlas Obscura User
Only item original to Washington’s stay   lilycoryell / Atlas Obscura User
The second-floor bedroom, October 1950.   Fawcett
The Germantown White House, 1973.   Jack Boucher
The dining room.   Smallbones
The kitchen.   Smallbones
The mansion’s rear.   Smallbones
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About

There were several presidential mansions before the White House was completed in 1800, although many didn't survive. That leaves the Deshler-Morris House in Philadelphia, more commonly known as the Germantown White House, the oldest surviving presidential residence in the United States.

The mansion was originally constructed in 1752 and was briefly occupied by British General William Howe, one of George Washington's nemeses during the American Revolution. When a yellow fever epidemic broke out in 1793, Washington and his family (along with their slaves) stayed at the house. It was then owned by Isaac Franks, a financial broker and former colonel who served Washington's army as a foragemaster.

Washington again occupied the Germantown White House the following year for a vacation and met with his cabinet four times while at the residence. He left early, however, in order to deal with the Whiskey Rebellion.

The house's name derives from David Deshler, its first owner, and Elliston P. Morris, the last owner who donated it to the National Park Service in 1948. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Related Tags

Houses History & Culture Architecture American Revolution Presidents Homes Military

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Opens seasonally, usually in the summer.  Entrance to the house is by tour only.  No tickets are required.

Community Contributors

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Edited By

Sydney Rose, blimpcaptain, lilycoryell

  • Sydney Rose
  • blimpcaptain
  • lilycoryell

Published

November 2, 2020

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Sources
  • https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/places-germantownwhitehouse.htm
  • https://www.ushistory.org/germantown/people/franks.htm
Germantown White House
5442 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19144
United States
40.033838, -75.172305
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