Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continually inhabited street in the United States, is a Philadelphia must-see. The museum is situated between #124 and 126, and the houses on the street are colonial-era constructions.
A Short History
The Elfreth’s Alley Museum must be visited if you are interested in Philadelphia’s history. It bears Jeremiah Elfreth’s name, a blacksmith from the 18th century, and was constructed in 1702. The majority of the people who lived in the alley were skilled workers. They kept their business on the ground floor and resided on the second. Philadelphia’s industry underwent a significant shift throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, creating a large number of new positions in the city. Philadelphia’s artisan middle class developed alongside the city’s prosperity and integrated into the city’s industrial environment.
In 1934, the Elfreth’s Alley Association was founded. The group advocated for the street to be renamed while also preserving the buildings. After the city’s street-name simplification program, the street’s original name, Cherry Street, was changed. The old street is now a well-liked tourist attraction. It is a prime example of the working class housing stock from the 18th century and stands in stark contrast to the city’s opulent mansion homes.
Quilts
The quilts on display at Philadelphia’s Elfreth’s Alley Museum are a great resource for local history lessons. There are quilts made by women in the collection. They frequently feature elaborate designs that resemble vases. The vases are positioned on semi-circular mounds covered in cross-hatching, and the central cross is shaped like a cross.
Opening Hours
The museum house is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.. It costs $3 to enter. On Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m., guided tours are available for those interested in learning more about the alley’s history. The guided tours are $8 for adults and $2 for kids per person. Here are a few of the highlights of a trip to Philadelphia’s Elfreth’s Alley Museum. Additionally, you can schedule a tour of the alley or arrange one on your own. The museum offers a limited number of public tours each day in addition to private tours and group events.
Visit Now!
Visit the Elfreth’s Alley Museum if you want to learn more about the early history of Philadelphia as a city. This National Historic Landmark is housed in a pair of adjacent homes and provides a fascinating glimpse into life in the early 1800s. Visitors can tour two nearby houses and browse the gift shop, which is open to the public.
How to get there from the fun dept:
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