Address: 124 Elfreths Alley
Pricing: Free to $5.00 depending on age.
Phone: (215) 574-0560
Hours: See site. Hours vary by season.
How To Get There:
Driving: From Market Street, make a right on 4th Street, a left on Chestnut, then a left on 2nd Street (this is necessary because the streets in Old City are one-way). Cross Market Street and look for street parking or the garages on Arch or Race.
SEPTA: Take a bus or the El to 2nd and Market. Walk north on 2nd Street.
PATCO (NJ): Take PATCO to 8th & Market. Use the Chestnut Street exit. Turn left (walk east) on Chestnut Street and walk five blocks. Turn left on 2nd Street. Cross Market Street and walk North.
Parking:Garages on Arch or Race btn. 2nd and 3rd.
Visit Website
Elfreth's Alley: America's Oldest Residential Neighborhood
Mar 2, 2010
Today, Elfreth’s Alley is still populated by residents with a museum now situated in the center. The cobblestone alley was originally built in the early 1700s as a means of providing thoroughfare for two blacksmiths. The alley created a connection to 2nd Street and the busy waterfront area now known as Penn’s Landing.
Elfreth’s Alley is a popular destination for those looking to capture photographs of colonial America. The buildings on the street were built between the 1720s and 1830s and were preserved by Dorothy Ottey. Over the centuries, Elfreth’s Alley has housed many ‘everyday people’ including firemen and their families. In the first half of the 20th century, the homes on Elfreth’s Alley were mainly run down. With plans for Interstate 95 in place, the alley faced demolition multiple times. However, Ottey’s Elfreth’s Alley Association restored, preserved and protected the landmark known as “America’s oldest residential neighborhood.”
While some colonial residents preferred to live in the country and hold land, many everyday urban residents needed to remain close to their city jobs. The Elfreth’s Alley homes are built in rows, similar to housing in England, and it wasn’t unusual for a resident to own two properties (living in one and renting the other).
Most of the buildings on the street are still private residences and are not open for tour. Residents keep the exteriors of their homes in accordance with period styles, however, so visitors to the alley can view seasonal decorations and paint colors in accordance with life in colonial America.
Visitors can tour the interiors of numbers 124 and 126 as they are part of the museum. For further enrichment, visitors should visit the Elfreth’s Alley Web site prior to visiting the physical location. There, visitors can learn about each home’s history (including private residences) prior to seeing them in person.
The museum also offers free cell phone tours. By dialing in, visitors can learn about immigrants (a point of interest for those researching Irish heritage in Philadelphia), early colonial life, women, community, preservation and architecture. For more information including the phone number and access codes, please visit the Web site.
- by Tara M. Clapper, Philadelphia Reporter for HelloMetro
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Tara M. ClapperTara M. Clapper is a full-time freelance writer residing just outside of Philadelphia. Tara enjoys exploring traditional and historical locations in the city as well as quirky and innovative restaurants and attractions. Tara utilizes her background in academic, service-based and traditional publishing to create insider-perspective articles. Her topics of interest include travel, weddings, Irish American culture, and geek subculture.
