Walnut Street Theatre
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Founded 1809. The oldest theater in America and the oldest playhouse in continuous use in the English-speaking world. A National Historic Landmark. Many of the greatest actors of America and Europe have appeared on stage here.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
When the Walnut Street Theatre opened its doors in 1809, the United States was barely a generation old and professional theater was still a novelty on the young republic's stages. It has raised its curtain continuously ever since, making it the oldest playhouse still in use in the English-speaking world and a stop for celebrated performers from both sides of the Atlantic. Now a National Historic Landmark, it survived changing tastes, fires, and centuries of competition to keep the footlights burning.
Why it matters
As the nation's oldest continuously operating theater, it embodies the unbroken thread of American performing arts from the early republic to the present.
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
- Chinatown Friendship Gate0.4 mi away · 10th and Arch Street
- Reading Terminal0.4 mi away
- Carpenters' Hall0.4 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Food & drink
- Fat Salmon0.1 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.1 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.1 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Garden0.1 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Munchie’s Cafe0.1 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.1 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- AKA Washington Squarenearby · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Morris House Hotelnearby · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City0.3 mi away · 1180 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Alexander Inn0.3 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- ROOST East Market0.3 mi away
- Loews Philadelphia Hotel0.3 mi away · 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Themes & tags
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McClellan House
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1997
The house at 912 Walnut Street sheltered two remarkable George McClellans. The father, a physician, founded Jefferson Medical College and lived here until his death in 1847. The son, raised here as a boy, grew up to command the Army of the Potomac in the Civil War's early years and to run for president against Abraham Lincoln in 1864.
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Robert Patterson (1743-1824)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2004
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