PHILADELPHIA HOME

Website: http://www.pym.org/arch-street-meeting-house/

Year Built: 1804

Era: 19th Century

Original Architect: Owen Biddle Jr.

Architectural Style:

• Federal

• Georgian

• Quaker

Renovation Dates:

• 1810: West wing added 

• 1896: 2 story addition to center pavilion

• 1902-1906: additions at rear for kitchens (Walter F. Price Architect)

• 1968-69: 2 story addition behind center building, air conditioning (Cope and Lippincott Architects)

• 2000: ADA improvements including ADA ramp

Historical: 

• Designated as a Significant Building (26 June 1956)

• National Register of Historic Places (1971)

• National Historic Landmark (2011) #71000716

History

In 1701, William Penn; founder of the Province of Pennsylvania and a devout Quaker gave the land to the Friends as a burial ground for members. The land served as the burial ground from 1701 until 1804 when a modest L-shaped meeting house was constructed on the site.

The Quakers chose carpenter Owen Biddle Junior, a master builder and prominent Quaker. He later published “The Young Carpenter’s Assistant” in 1805 prior to his death. The book was later expanded by architect John Haviland. In a time when apprenticeship was the only way to learn the craft of building, a pocket reference guide to the various architectural orders, proportins, and even construction techniques was extremely rate. A scanned copy of this delightful book is available to view in full here.

When he designed the initial structure, there was already a plan for the next phase, to include a symmetrical wing on the opposite side of the entry and community room to the West. That addition was completed in 1810-1811.

The now symmetrical plan layout places the lobby and community room at the center flanked by the men’s meeting room in the east wing and the women’s meeting room in the west wing. Originally, only the central and east wings were constructed.  The west wing was added later in 1811 completing the original vision of the design.

The design is simple and understated to reflect the Quaker faith.  At the time of its original construction, to maintain simplicity, much of the woodwork was left natural and raw. Only select features were painted.  It is the largest Quaker meeting house in the world and the second oldest in Philadelphia. It includes 2 meeting rooms, a men’s and a women’s. The roof originally had cedar shingles. The roofing was later changed to tin (1874) and again to standing seam metal, still in place today.

The meeting rooms themselves were designed to enhance the sightlines and acoustics, even including an early acoustic sounding board designed by Benjamin Latrobe over the benches. Separate stairs to the balcony were provided to separate boys and girls. The girl’s stair is equipped with a “modesty board” to keep from having any visible leg apparent during their climb up the stairs. Imagine what they would think of the fashions today!

The south side of the building was not considered a main feature of the building. It was at this side of the building that modern upgrades and renovations such as kitchens and bathrooms.  See photos of the construction in our Image gallery.

Fun fact: The meeting house is elevated above street level because it was built on top of a graveyard to which 2-3 tiered layers of graves had been added. A publication from 1884 notes that, “wherever it was possible the bodies were not moved, and portion of the building were placed over them.” It went on to note “In building the meeting-house it was necessary to invade the dominion of the dead; but it is said that care was taken to avoid that necessity wherever it could be done.”

What cannot be conveyed through photos and maps is the incredible tranquility of the site. Enclosed by a full height brick privacy wall, entering in through one of the gates brings you into a serene, quiet, extremely peaceful environment. The site is full of large mature trees, with full shade canopies, the sound of birds, and a feeling of being completely separated from the bustle of the city just a few feet away.

Building Materials

• Ashlar stone foundation

• Brick with Flemish Bond with water table

• Single pane, divided lite Wood Windows

• Marble steps

• Granite base at some areas

• Tuscan wood columns on marble base blocks

• Hipped Roof with cross-gable

• Standing seam metal roofing

• Wood doors; paneled and glazed

• Wood cupola

• Louvered wood shutters

• Brick herringbone paving

• Original Crown Glass (a blown and imported glass)

• Trusses

Building Systems: 

Originally the building was heated by fireplaces and “Franklin-type” stoves, but later a forced air furnace was installed and air conditioning was added in the 1960’s.

Contribute to support their cause: 

http://www.pym.org/supporting-pym/

Articles about this Building:

“The Building” 

“Arch Street Friends Meeting House”