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American RevolutionEarly Republic

Thaddeus Kosciuszko

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Marker Inscription

After serving as a military engineer during the American Revolution, he later led an uprising in his native Poland. Exiled, the General resided in this house from November, 1797, to May, 1798.

Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

The Story

Thaddeus Kosciuszko was a Polish-born military engineer whose fortifications helped the Continental Army win the Revolution, most famously at Saratoga and West Point. After the war he returned home to lead a doomed uprising for Polish independence, and when exile brought him back to America he lodged in this Philadelphia house in 1797–1798. Here he received visitors including Thomas Jefferson and drafted a will devoting his American assets to freeing and educating enslaved people.

Why it matters

His life joined the American and European struggles for liberty, and his stand against slavery made him one of the Revolution's most far-sighted idealists.

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  • FRIEDA
    0.3 mi away · 320 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • Buddakan
    0.4 mi away · 325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • Olivier Cafe
    0.4 mi away · 50 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • Franklin Social
    0.4 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • Red Owl Tavern
    0.4 mi away · 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • Talula's Garden
    0.4 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA

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  • · Thaddeus Kosciuszko

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