First Republican National Convention
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
In the Musical Fund Hall here in June 1856, John C. Fremont was nominated for President of the U.S. He lost the election to James Buchanan. Formed in 1854 the Republican Party opposed the extension of slavery; Lincoln was its first nominee elected President (1860).
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In June 1856, delegates gathered in Philadelphia's Musical Fund Hall for the first Republican National Convention and nominated the western explorer John C. Frémont as their standard-bearer. The young party — founded just two years earlier in opposition to slavery's spread into the western territories — lost that first race to Democrat James Buchanan. But the coalition it built endured, and four years later carried Abraham Lincoln to the White House on the eve of the Civil War.
Why it matters
This convention launched one of America's two enduring major parties and set the antislavery movement on the path to national power.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer0.1 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall0.3 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Hall0.3 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center0.3 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Philosophical Hall0.3 mi away · PA
- Old City Hall0.3 mi away · Philadelphia
Attractions
- Liberty Bell0.3 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.3 mi away
- Second Bank of the United States0.4 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Carpenters' Hall0.4 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Chinatown Friendship Gate0.4 mi away · 10th and Arch Street
- Reading Terminal0.5 mi away
Food & drink
- Talula's Gardennearby · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Dailynearby · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.1 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.1 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.1 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.2 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Morris House Hotelnearby · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.1 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Alexander Inn0.3 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City0.4 mi away · 1180 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA
- ROOST East Market0.4 mi away
- Fairfield Inn & Suites0.4 mi away · 261 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · John C. Frémont
- · James Buchanan
- · Abraham Lincoln
Related events
- · First Republican National Convention (1856)
Themes & tags
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