Castner Scrapbook v.4, Old Houses 1, page 84
Historical Images of Philadelphia Castner Scrapbook CollectionItem Info
Media Type: Scrapbooks
Source: Print and Picture Collection
Notes:
Item pdcc00320 [image dimensions 11.0 cm 15.3 cm]:
http://www.fairmountpark.org/mountpleasant.asp
Halftone reproduction of a photograph showing the curved driveway in front of the historic mansion and an adjacent carriage house. A tree obscures a full view of the elegant facade of this architectural gem. Construction began in 1761 on the banks of the Schuylkill River by its first owner, Captain John McPherson, a Scottish pirate whose spoils financed the project. He engaged architect Thomas Nevell to design the house in the Georgian style, and when it was completed in 1765 it had already been universally declared a masterpiece. Following McPherson's financial woes in 1770, the house had a succession of owners including Benedict Arnold, who bought it for his new bride, Peggy Shippen. Arnold was tried for treason, however, before the couple had a chance to live there. Mount Pleasant was eventually sold to Fairmount Park, and in 1974 was declared a National Historic Landmark.
Geocode Latitude: Geocode Longitude:-75.199794
Geocode Latitude:39.985806
Call Number: A917.481 P536 v.4
Creator Name: Castner, Samuel, Jr., 1843-1929 - Compiler
McPherson, John, 1726-1792
Nevil, Thomas, 1721-1797
Arnold, Margaret Shippen, 1760-1804
Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801