The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks is an 88 year old non-profit that is dedicated to maintaining and preserving its four historic house museums: the Powel House, Grumblethorpe Historic House and Garden, Hill-Physick House and Historic Waynesborough.

The Hill-Physick House

The Hill-Physick House, built in 1786 by Madeira wine importer Henry Hill, was home to the father of American surgery, Dr. Philip Syng Physick from 1815-1837.

Built in 1786, this square, four-story brick house is the only free-standing Federal townhouse remaining in Society Hill. With its huge doorway fan light (the largest in any Pennsylvania residence in 1786) plus grand proportions and straight, classical lines, Physick House is an exceptional example of the Federal style. It is decorated with outstanding examples of French-influenced Neoclassic furnishings, popular during Dr. Physick’s time in the house. The unusually large city garden also contains plants popular in the 19th century.

The house remained in the family, passing through various relations of Dr. Physick. Philip Syng Physick Randolph I sold the property to Elise Wister Keith in 1895. Elise and her husband Charles Penrose Keith lived in the house until their deaths (in 1938 & 1940). The house is also referred to as the Hill/Physick/Keith House.