47-643: Cliveden ( / ˈ k l ɪ v d ən / or KLIV -dən ), also known as the Chew House , is a historic site owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation , located in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia . Built as a country house for attorney Benjamin Chew , Cliveden was completed in 1767 and was home to seven generations of the Chew family. Cliveden has long been famous as
94-713: A merger of the Council into the National Trust. The merger was effective the following year and was completed by 1956. The National Trust became a membership organization and assumed all other functions of the National Council. In its early years, the National Trust’s founders envisioned an organization whose primary purpose would be the acquisition and administration of historic sites, while encouraging public participation in their preservation. In 1957,
141-655: A bill to Congress, H.R. 5170, introduced by Congressman J. Hardin Peterson of Florida and passed. The private, nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation was formally established by charter through the Act of Congress when President Harry S. Truman signed the legislation on October 26, 1949. The charter provided that the Trust should acquire and preserve historic sites and objects of national significance and provide annual reports to Congress on its activities. Finley served as
188-491: A second wave of population growth and construction in Germantown in the 1760s, when Anglicized styles were imposed onto the provincial German vernacular settlement, Cliveden is a Georgian country house made aware of its context by the craftsmanship of its German builders. The Chew Family Papers also document through detailed account books which identify master carpenter Jacob Knorr and master mason John Hesser, among others, as
235-590: A town house in the Dock Ward of Philadelphia, a large house in Dover, Delaware and several plantations in Maryland and Delaware, as well as many developed and undeveloped properties, rural and urban. The Chews’ diverse business interests included import/export shipping, agriculture, iron mining and refining and more. All of these pursuits were sustained and complicated by the use of enslaved and indentured labor. During
282-676: A “Colonnade” or “piazza;” a covered walkway that connected the second parlor to the kitchen. Together, the Main House, Kitchen, Colonnade and Wash House surround a work yard behind the house, an important outdoor service space. The Direct Tax of 1798, one year after the Chews repurchased Cliveden, itemized the one story stone pantry attached to the Kitchen, a smoke house adjacent to the Wash House, and frame milk house and poultry house. In 1814,
329-811: Is a privately funded, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. , that works in the field of historic preservation in the United States . The member-supported organization was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support the preservation of America’s diverse historic buildings, neighborhoods, and heritage through its programs, resources, and advocacy. The National Trust for Historic Preservation aims to empower local preservationists by providing leadership to save and revitalize America's historic places, and by working on both national policies as well as local preservation campaigns through its network of field offices and preservation partners, including
376-626: Is periodically challenged through the transportation reauthorization process, most recently during the consideration of MAP-21. Due to work by preservationists, Section 4(f) remains intact. The National Trust advocates for the preservation of historic and cultural resources on federal public lands , partnering with the Bureau of Land Management , the Forest Service , and the National Park Service . The National Trust supported
423-407: Is repeated at the cornice line. Cliveden has a gabled roof, unusual for a Georgian house, again reflecting the Germantown context. The roof is pierced by two broad brick chimney stacks positioned at the roof ridge line. The roof is further adorned with five massive urns raised on brick plinths. The walls are composed of Wissahickon schist, a less expensive option than brick and a choice that reflected
470-560: Is the beveling of floorboards throughout and the installation of a semi-custom mid-century modern kitchen inside the Colonnade. The Chew Family Papers , containing an extensive collection of correspondence, documents, financial records and other materials, are available for research use at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania . National Trust for Historic Preservation The National Trust for Historic Preservation
517-469: Is tucked into an enclosed area west of the rear hall. Cliveden is flanked by two dependencies with temple-front facades that echo the classical features of the main house. The interior of the dependencies have more vernacular designs, with simple floor plans that reflect a typical small house of the Delaware Valley. During the period of construction, the original 18-foot-square (5.5 m) plan of
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#1732779655603564-770: The Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act , a bill that would prevent the United States Forest Service from removing a building from the Glacier Peak Wilderness Area in Washington State unless the agency determines that the structure is unsafe for visitors. The National Trust stating that it was "pleased that Congress has acted to protect this historically significant and locally cherished landmark. With this vote,
611-467: The National Gallery of Art to discuss the formation of such a national organization. This meeting was followed by a larger gathering on April 15, 1947, attended by representatives from a number of art, architectural, and historical societies , which culminated in the creation of the National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings. The meeting’s attendants became the first charter members of
658-506: The National Park Service , State Historic Preservation Offices , and local preservation groups. The National Trust is headquartered in Washington, D.C. , with field operations located throughout the country. The organization is governed by a board of trustees and led by president & CEO, Carol Quillen. As of November 2023, the National Trust reports that it has over 1 million actively engaged visitors, followers, supporters, and advocates. In addition to leading campaigns and advocacy,
705-540: The Delaware Valley with the promise of land investments and an advantageous connection with the Penn family. Chew trained as a lawyer and became part of a Governor's Council that advised and protected the interests of the Pennsylvania Colony, and was later made Chief Justice of the colony. This position came with all the privilege expected, including status, wealth and opportunity. The elite Chew family also owned
752-745: The Delaware Valley. The prospect of Cliveden from the south facade follows the symmetry of Georgian architecture with emphasis on the forms, patterns and ratios of the Classical world. There is no named architect of Cliveden, but the Chew Family Papers, held at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, include nine original drawings associated with the design process, which are attributed to lawyer and draftsman William Peters (1702–1786), and reference Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) and British architect Abraham Swan (active 1745–68). Built during
799-788: The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To be included in the program, hotels must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places ; and recognized as having historic significance. Initiated in 2011, the National Treasures program identified historically significant landmarks that face imminent threat. With
846-525: The Germantown builders responsible for its construction. Although not built as a plantation house, the scale of Cliveden was new to Germantown in the 1760s and is larger than most colonial houses in Philadelphia. The house is composed of two full stories with a half-story garret. Five bays organize the symmetry and rhythm of the facade, with the center bay projecting and ornamented by a pedimented Doric frontispiece with full entablature. The pediment motif
893-617: The National Trust officially acquired its first property, Woodlawn Plantation in northern Virginia . Since then, the National Trust portfolio of historic properties and contracted affiliates has expanded to include twenty-seven historic sites, ranging from the 18th-century Drayton Hall in South Carolina to the Modernist Glass House in Connecticut . Over the next decade, the National Trust grew to become
940-551: The National Trust opened its first field office in San Francisco. As the organization grew, the National Trust expanded its work, consisting of programs, educational resources, and advocacy. In 1980, the National Trust initiated the National Main Street Center , specializing in revitalizing historic business districts, which has since transitioned into a subsidiary. In 2010, Stephanie Meeks became
987-685: The National Trust provides a growing educational resource through the Preservation Leadership Forum, which offers articles, journals, case studies, and conferences and training. The National Trust issues the quarterly Preservation magazine as well as online stories. The National Trust’s current work focuses on building sustainable communities through the adaptive reuse of historic spaces; preserving and empowering cultural diversity through protecting sites of cultural significance; advocating for greater stewardship of historic places on public land ; and leading innovation in
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#17327796556031034-413: The National Trust's first chairman of the board, remaining in the position for 12 years. Archaeologist Richard Hubbard Howland became the nonprofit's first president in 1956. The National Trust and the National Council existed side by side for several years until the need to merge resources compelled the executive committee to integrate the two entities. In 1952, the boards of both organizations approved
1081-406: The Preservation Leadership Forum, a network of preservation professionals. The National Trust for Historic Preservation created Historic Hotels of America in 1989, with 32 charter members. Historic Hotels of America identifies hotels that have maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. As of June 5, 2015, the program includes over 260 members in 44 states, including
1128-432: The Wash House & office was doubled with a masonry addition to the north. In this period, there is also a record of filling an ice house which is no longer extant. During the first half of the 19th century, Benjamin Chew, Jr. (1758–1844) inherited Cliveden and developed it as a gentleman's farm. There is a record of wheat fields, fencing and corn crib on the site. After a long family conflict to settle his estate, Cliveden
1175-482: The council. The organization’s first headquarters was in the offices of Ford’s Theatre (Lincoln Museum) in downtown Washington, D.C. The Council pursued the formation of a National Trust for Historic Preservation, somewhat modeled on the British National Trust , which would be tasked with the acquisition and maintenance of historic properties. The creation of the National Trust was proposed as
1222-694: The first National Park , Yellowstone . In 1906, the Antiquities Act enabled the President to declare landmarks or objects as a national monument . Then in 1935, during the Great Depression, Congress passed the Historic Sites Act , which outlined programs for research and inventory of historic sites. Meanwhile, historic preservation initiatives existed on local and state levels. In 1931, Charleston, South Carolina created
1269-458: The first historic district for protection. However, efforts to save and maintain historic sites were still largely limited to private citizens or local groups. In the late 1940s, leaders in American historic preservation saw the need for a national organization to support local preservation efforts. In 1946, David E. Finley Jr. , George McAneny , Christopher Crittenden, and Ronald Lee met at
1316-552: The history of the Cliveden property and its occupants can be found throughout the five-acre (two- hectare ) woody landscape. The Cliveden grounds are open for the community to enjoy as a public park from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, weather permitting. The property includes four buildings, the Main House, Kitchen Dependency, Wash House and Carriage House. Tours of Cliveden are available May through November, from Thursday to Sunday, 12 pm to 4 pm. Cliveden
1363-524: The leading national organization in historic preservation. They began working with citizens and city planning officials on legislative matters, including federal, state, and municipal ordinances for historic preservation. National Trust staff also traveled to parts of the country to advise local communities on preservation projects. In 1966, Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Act , significant legislation for
1410-660: The local, state, and federal level. Current advocacy priorities are: The Historic Tax Credit (HTC) is the federal tax credit program that incentivizes the rehabilitation of historic buildings. The HTC, which has rehabilitated more than 38,700 buildings and leveraged about $ 106 billion in private investment nationwide, is in danger of being eliminated in current budget-balancing discussions in Congress. The federal Department of Transportation Act of 1966 included Section 4(f), which stipulates that planners must develop projects that protect or avoid historic resources. However, Section 4(f)
1457-474: The management of historic properties. Toward the end of the 19th century, in response to increased immigration and the broad effort of rebuilding after the Civil War , the country was developing a renewed sense of national identity and history. The government began to enact legislation for the preservation of sites and objects deemed significant to the nation’s history. In 1872, an Act of Congress established
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1504-440: The north and east elevation were exposed random rubble construction, though the east was later finished with stucco. This hierarchy of finishes follows in the interior, where rooms on the east are finished with more elaborate millwork and paneling than those on the west. The first floor plan of Cliveden is an unusual T-shaped center hall with small rooms on either side of a wide entrance hall and large chambers on either side of
1551-690: The organization’s president, replacing Richard Moe , who had led the organization for 17 years. In 2013, the National Trust headquarters moved from the Andrew Mellon Building on 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW in Washington D.C.’s Dupont Circle to the historic Watergate office complex . Meeks said in a statement about the move, "The selection of the Watergate demonstrates our ongoing commitment to recognizing and protecting important places from every era in American history, including
1598-432: The perpendicular stair hall. The front and rear halls are divided by an impressive screen of Doric columns topped with entablature. On the second floor, a “gallery” is centered between to two large chambers on either side. The garret was finished with chambers for servants and children, and the cellar contains a cooking hearth and more evidence of kitchen-related service spaces. A service stair, accessing cellar to garret,
1645-668: The preservation movement. The Act also provided federal funding in support of the National Trust’s work. The funding later ceased in 1996, at which point the National Trust became entirely privately funded. Following the adoption of the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Trust broadened in its mission beyond administering historic sites. In 1969, the National Trust created the Preservation Services Fund to provide financial assistance to local preservation projects. In 1971,
1692-648: The public and eventually selected based on a range of factors, including its significance, whether there is a local group engaged in its preservation, the urgency of the threat, and potential solutions to that threat. In 2017, the Trust launched an initiative called the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to identify underrepresented Black cultural sites in need of funding for restoration and preservation. The program has been directed by historian Brent Leggs . The National Trust for Historic Preservation organizes
1739-594: The recent past." In 2022, the National Trust headquarters moved from the Watergate to a shared coworking space (located in a former Garfinckel's department store ) in downtown D.C. The National Trust’s programs include publication of the annual list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places , first issued in 1988, which highlights endangered sites across the country. Meeks stepped down as president in December 2018. Former general counsel and chief legal officer Paul Edmondson then served as president and CEO until
1786-544: The site of the American Revolutionary War 's Battle of Germantown in 1777 as well as for its Georgian architecture . New research is unearthing a more complicated history at Cliveden, which involves layers of significance, including the lives of those who were enslaved and in service to the Chew family. That information broadens the meaning of Cliveden as a preserved historic place, exploring themes and stories of American identity and freedom. Traces of
1833-419: The space into a butler's pantry. Niece-in-Law and early preservationist Mary Johnson Brown Chew (1839–1927) next inherited Cliveden. In 1921, two bathrooms were added with modern fixtures, the one seen at the rear of the north east chamber is raised to the second floor on Colonial Revival columns. The last generation of the Chew family and their household moved to Cliveden in 1959. Notable among repairs and changes
1880-542: The spring of 2023. Beginning in January of 2024, Carol Quillen , former president of Davidson College , began serving as president and CEO. First published in 1988, the National Trust’s list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places is an annual list that highlights endangered historic sites across the United States. The list serves to raise national awareness of these sites. The sites are nominated by
1927-451: The support of local preservationists, the National Trust led direct action to save these sites through fundraising, coalition building, and legal advocacy. The sites were selected based on criteria including: integrity, contribution to America’s diverse history, and preservation strategies that can be applied to other sites. The portfolio of National Treasures included, for example: The National Trust’s advocacy arm works to effect policy at
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1974-424: The traditional building materials used in Germantown. The exterior of the house follows a hierarchy of design that includes a range of construction techniques finishes and from high style to vernacular. The stonework at the facade is laid in regular courses of ashlar blocks accentuated by a cut stone string course and quoins with tooled mortar joints. The public-facing west elevation is finished with scored stucco;
2021-539: The tumultuous time surrounding the Revolution and nation building, Chew reserved his political position, but regained prominence after the new government was established. With a design largely derived from architectural patterns brought from the United Kingdom, Cliveden epitomizes the ideals of elite design in the American colonies while simultaneously incorporating regional building materials and practices of
2068-448: The west dependency was altered to extend the building by 9 feet (2.7 m) with a large chimney to accommodate a cooking hearth and bake oven and adjacent well shaft. Opposite the Kitchen, the west dependency was a Wash House, later served as the estate office. Both Dependencies can be considered quarters, with second floors and garrets containing sleeping chambers for service staff, enslaved and free. In 1776, Chew hired Hesser to construct
2115-561: Was built between 1763 and 1767 by local German craftsmen as a summer home for prominent lawyer Benjamin Chew, Sr. (1722–1810) and his family as a respite from heat and yellow fever epidemics. During the American Revolutionary War, the property was at the center of the Battle of Germantown in 1777. The house was inhabited by seven generations of the Chew family and their household until 1972, with one exception; when it
2162-407: Was inherited by Anne Sophia Penn Chew (1805–1892). In 1868, she had the rubble-constructed Italianate North Addition built, containing two new chambers, along with technological upgrades including gas and indoor plumbing. A coal-fired central furnace and a kitchen range were also installed at this time. The North Addition enclosed the Colonnade and added a second service stair in the rear, adapting
2209-505: Was sold to Blair McClenachan (1734–1812) after the battle, but repurchased by the Chew family in 1797. It is important to note that though the Chew family and their households occupied Cliveden until 1970, architectural changes to the house always took into account the original Georgian facade and plan, which remain intact despite significant changes and adaptations seen from the rear. Born in Tidewater, Maryland, Benjamin Chew migrated to
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