SWEETBRIER
The first owner of Sweetbrier was Samuel Breck, who records in his notes that he built his mansion in 1797, having “out-buildings of every kind suitable for elegance and comfort. The prospect consists of the river, animated by its great trade carried on in boats of about thirty tons, drawn by horses; of a beautiful sloping lawn, terminating at that river, now nearly four hundred yards wide opposite the portico; of side-screen woods; of gardens, green-house, etc.—Sweetbrier is the name of my villa.”
The restoration was undertaken in 1918 by the Junior League of Philadelphia, with the advice of the Museum, and the house now serves as the headquarters for the Junior League.
On entering, the visitor will be impressed with the simplicity of the architecture and the delicacy of the ornament. Of a later date than that of Mount Pleasant, the style is more classic, varied by the relief ornament of the mantels and the number of large graceful windows. The large reception room contains four beautifully carved Heppelwhite side chairs, a pair of mahogany card tables and a sofa of the same style. Wedgwood vases, gilt torchères and a large Oriental rug represent imported objects which the room might have exhibited in its original state. A rare acquisition, a complete set of William Birch’s views of Philadelphia, hang upon these walls and on the stair landing. At the right of the fireplace stands a painted armchair with needlepoint back and seat, and nearby is a tripod candlestand. These pieces formed a part of the original furnishings of Sweetbrier, and have been lent by the descendants of Samuel Breck. In a vitrine near the west door, a miniature on ivory shows the youthful Samuel Breck.
CEDAR GROVE, 1721-1795 Shown on map as No. 2