One of the most interesting stories of this little structure is that the bricks and most of the finer building materials used in its construction were brought over from England. More recently doubt has been thrown upon this statement by the discovery that even at that time quite as excellent a quality of brick was being made in Philadelphia.
Despite its diminutive size, the cottage required what, to-day, would be an unusual time in its building, and it was well into the year 1683 before it was ready for the house-warming. Quaint, angular, and comfortable in appearance, it faithfully reflects the spirit of Philadelphia’s early people. True to the founder’s ideal in the laying-out of the city, the house, too, is characterized by economy of space and absence of mere ornament. Doors, windows, sills, and sashes—everything, in fact, except the gabled roof, is plain and rectangular.
From the front door, we enter its largest room, serving, perhaps, at one time as dining hall, sitting-room, kitchen, and library. On its plain, bare walls we now see collections of old wood cuts, illustrating events which occurred in the time of the founder, including reproductions of Benjamin West’s painting of that famous treaty with the Indians which “was not signed and never broken.” Above the door hangs an old print of the wampum belt which was presented to Penn by the Indians upon that occasion. Near by are facsimiles of the charter of the Province of Pennsylvania, granted by Charles II, and also the first charter of the city of Philadelphia, granted in 1691. In the further corner to the left is an ample fireplace before whose glow we can readily recall to our imagination the serene features of the great founder surrounded by his family.
From this room, extending to the rear of the building, is a short hallway, on either side of which is a room so small that we wonder what could have been their function in the Penn household. Quaint and cozy as is the little mansion, we can scarce believe it to have been the home of one who owned our whole great State of Pennsylvania.
In the year 1684, after a stay of twenty-one months, Penn was forced to return to England to protect his proprietary interests, as they were at that time threatened by the plans of Lord Baltimore. In his absence, the proprietorship fell upon his cousin, Markham, the Lieutenant-Governor, who then took up his abode in the Letitia House. Later, according to the wish of Penn, who desired that his house be devoted to public service, it became the State House. It is hard to imagine such a dignified body as was undoubtedly the provincial council meeting in the tiny brick cottage. What a contrast it makes with Independence Hall, or the great capitol now at Harrisburg!
In after years, when other houses had grown up on all sides, the little cottage fell into obscurity. At one time, even, it was thrown open as a public inn, and the little room which at one time held the Penn family circle now became the haunt of the wayfarer and the chronic idler. But, recently, folks of the great State have come to think more of the little house and to recognize gratefully the part which it played in their history. They have lifted it from its late dingy surroundings and, as if to put before it the city’s best, have placed it on the west bank of the Schuylkill, overlooking Fairmount Park. Here, far away from the city’s centre, with its face toward the broad, green valley of the river, the little mansion rests patiently, as if waiting until the city shall again closely encircle it in its westward growth.
As would have been the wish of the great Quaker, the door is still left hospitably open, and citizen and stranger alike may freely enter the house of him who founded their State. Here, daily, come many pilgrims. The Schuylkill, too, winding placidly down from its hills, loiters gently in its course through the picturesque valley, as if to catch a momentary glimpse of the quaint old house.
WITH WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE
By W. Bert Foster