Wall House (The Ivy)
Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Original section, dated from 1682, was built by Richard Wall on land granted by William Penn. An early meeting place of the Society of Friends, 1683-1702. Additions were built about 1725 and 1805. Sarah Wall married George Shoemaker, 1694, and their descendants lived here to 1847. Purchased from the Bosler family, 1932, by Cheltenham Township.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In the first years of William Penn's colony, a settler named Richard Wall raised a stone house on land granted directly by the founder, and in 1683 it became one of the earliest gathering places for the Society of Friends in the region. Quakers met here for prayer and business through 1702, and successive additions in the 1720s and early 1800s grew the dwelling as one family's descendants held it for a century and a half. Cheltenham Township acquired the venerable house in 1932, preserving a rare tangible link to Pennsylvania's founding generation.
Why it matters
It survives as one of the oldest houses in the Philadelphia area and a physical witness to Penn's 'holy experiment' of Quaker settlement and religious tolerance in early America.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- National Constitution Center8.7 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia8.7 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House8.7 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Illadelph Glass Gallery8.8 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery8.8 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Larry Becker Contemporary Art8.8 mi away · 43 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle6.7 mi away
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir7.4 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge7.9 mi away
- Philly Gun Range8.1 mi away · North Percy Street
- Philadelphia Zoo8.2 mi away
- Rocky Steps8.3 mi away
Food & drink
- Independence Mall Cafe8.8 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
- Bubble Tea Room8.9 mi away · 319 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- 3J's Cafe8.9 mi away · 317 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Dunkin'8.9 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters8.9 mi away
- PrimoHoagies8.9 mi away · 304 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center8.6 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia8.6 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Clarion Suites Philadelphia8.6 mi away · 1010 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Sleep Inn Center City8.7 mi away · 1020 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia E - Penns Landing8.7 mi away · 100 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA8.8 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · Richard Wall
- · William Penn
- · Sarah Wall
- · George Shoemaker
Themes & tags
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