Lemon Hill Mansion is temporarily CLOSED for regular tours while the park prepares for the FIFA Fan Festival for the 2026 World Cup.
We will re-open for special events and for regular tour hours (Th-Sun, 10-4 pm) beginning in August. Lemon Hill Mansion, located in the heart of East Fairmount Park, was built in 1800 by Henry Pratt in the neoclassical style popular in the Federal time period. Surrounded by extensive gardens, the mansion was one of more than a dozen similar garden estate homes in the Philadelphia area during the Colonial and Federal eras.
05/13/2026
Thanks to the incredible group of volunteers who helped with the special Love Your Park spring planting and weeding workday on the grounds of Lemon hill Mansion! Getting the place all prettied up before we play host to many visitors this summer for and
We had a great afternoon helping mother nature on Mother's Day! 🌺🌷🌎
More garden volunteer events to come! Stay tuned!!
03/21/2026
08/25/2023
A tradition for more than a decade, Philly's Naked Bike Ride is Saturday August 26. Start location is Lemon Hill Mansion at 5 p.m., following a pre-body paint session from 2-4:30 p.m. Riders will cycle in various states of undress on a course that includes jaunts down Market Street, 13th Street, 21st Street, South Street and Broad Street, among others. Event is free; registration is not required. https://www.instagram.com/philly_naked_bike_ride/
07/01/2023
Another project completed by RCL! Thank you Lemon Hill Mansion for this amazing opportunity!
Even though Henry Pratt owned multiple properties around Philadelphia, he would take his family seaside in the summer months. After losing his second wife and a child to Yellow Fever in 1793, this prompted him to purchase Robert Morris's The Hills estate in 1799 when it came up for auction. Not entirely sure where this summer home once existed, but it was probably in Cape May. By the early 1800s a number of small NJ shore enclaves would be developed and later come well-known resorts by the mid-19th century.
05/24/2023
Check out June tour dates at neighboring Fairmount Water Works. Tours are free although reservations requested in advance.
🕬Exciting news!!🕬
If you missed our May tours, you're in for a treat! Our historic preservation tour dates have been extended!
Step back in time with this unique tour, where the past comes alive! 🕰️ Explore the exterior grounds of our National Historic Landmark, immersing yourself in the captivating ambiance that has captured the attention from visitors from all over the world.
Afterwards, visit our re-opened Engine House Theater, where an interactive experience awaits you. Prepare to be captivated by an award-winning 15-minute film, shedding light on the pivotal role this site played in Philadelphia's vibrant history. 🎥✨
Continue your journey through time as you explore our exhibit areas at your own pace.
Ready to explore the historic Fairmount Water Works? Don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure! Book your spot today at www.fairmountwaterworks.org.
05/19/2023
Tomorrow, May 20, the Lemon Hill Neighbors Association is hosting a clean up from 10 a.m. to 12 noon of the nearby Glendinning Rock Garden. Volunteers still needed for trash pick up, clearing excess debris from pathways, stairs and the pond, and maybe some trail trimming on the back end of the Lemon Hill Trail. Contact:
Lemon Hill Neighbors | Love Your Park Discover unique and fun giving and volunteer opportunities at Lemon Hill Neighbors! Get involved in your community and make an impact today!
05/19/2023
Jazz returns to the Hills this weekend! Bring friends and family. Open to all ages. From 4-6:30 p.m., Sunday May 21.
05/10/2023
05/08/2023
Two hundred years ago and more, Lemon Hill Mansion once boasted having one of the finest horticultural landscapes in the world. Perhaps the hill will again someday be among the great gardens of the world.
Spring is here, and there's no better way to celebrate the season than by immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. With over 30 public gardens and arboretums within 30 miles, Philadelphia is America's Garden Capital.
Wander through acres of gardens and arboretums bursting with color and life. From peaceful Japanese gardens to enchanting greenhouses, there's a world of natural wonder waiting for you to discover. Don't wait - plan your visit to America's Garden Capital this spring and let the beauty of nature inspire and uplift you: https://americasgardencapital.org