Abolition Hall
Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
The antislavery meeting hall here, opened in 1856, brought many leading abolitionist speakers as guests of George Corson and his wife, Martha Maulsby Corson. Built over a carriage shed, the hall could accommodate up to 200 visitors. The family's 1767 homestead here had already long been a station on the Underground Railroad. Later, 1881-1895, Abolition Hall was the studio of son-in-law Thomas Hovenden, who painted "Last Moments of John Brown."
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
By the 1850s the Corson family's Whitemarsh homestead — a station on the Underground Railroad since long before — had become a center of antislavery activism. In 1856 George and Martha Maulsby Corson opened a meeting hall above their carriage shed where leading abolitionist orators addressed crowds of up to 200. Decades later the hall found a second life as the studio of Thomas Hovenden, whose painting "Last Moments of John Brown" became one of the era's iconic images of the abolitionist cause.
Why it matters
Abolition Hall unites two threads of the fight against slavery — the secret work of the Underground Railroad and the public crusade of the antislavery lecture circuit — in a single Pennsylvania homestead.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- African American Museum in Philadelphia12.3 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Constitution Center12.4 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center12.5 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center12.6 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Betsy Ross House12.6 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Bridgette Mayer12.6 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir9.5 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge9.8 mi away
- Philadelphia Zoo10.1 mi away
- American Bandstand10.6 mi away
- Rocky Steps10.9 mi away
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle11.4 mi away
Food & drink
- Burger King12.4 mi away
- Dunkin'12.5 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philly Pretzel Factory12.5 mi away
- Independence Mall Cafe12.5 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
- Munchie’s Cafe12.5 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Time & Peace12.5 mi away · 36 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia11.9 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center12.0 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- The Notary Hotel12.1 mi away · 21 North Juniper Street, Philadelphia
- Residence Inn Philadelphia Center City12.1 mi away · 1 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA12.1 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Clarion Suites Philadelphia12.1 mi away · 1010 Race Street, Philadelphia
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · George Corson
- · Martha Maulsby Corson
- · Thomas Hovenden
Related events
- · Underground Railroad
- · Opening of Abolition Hall, 1856
Themes & tags
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