Cliveden

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Cliveden A National Trust for Historic Preservation site in Philadelphia/ Germantown.

A National Historic Site, well known as a battleground during the Revolutionary War, and commemorated every year during the Revolutionary Germantown Festival. Tours and exhibits tell the fascinating stories of the wealthy elite Chew family and early African American history in Philadelphia. To experience Cliveden is to experience the American story, and all of the struggles for freedom endured by a people.

Spotlight Tour: Cliveden Property Walking Tour - the final Spotlight Tour in 2026 🚨Join Cliveden this Saturday, October ...
10/06/2026

Spotlight Tour: Cliveden Property Walking Tour - the final Spotlight Tour in 2026 🚨

Join Cliveden this Saturday, October 10th at 10:30 am for a walking tour exploring the historic boundaries of the Cliveden property and how it has changed over time! Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and to bring a water bottle with them as this tour is about 90 minutes long and covers 1.5 miles. There will be times stop and sit during the walk.

If you have been curious about the size of the estate today, how it got there, and the property's relationship to the neighborhood, then this tour is for you. Tickets are available for purchase in advance through our website or in person on Saturday morning (Special discount for 19119 & 19144, Cliveden and National Trust for Historic Preservation members).

Don't miss this opportunity to take a deeper dive into Cliveden's history before the season ends. Sign up today!

📸: Hopkins, G. M., "Atlas of (the late borough of) Germantown," 1871. https://www.philageohistory.org/rdic-images/view-image.cfm/GMH1871.Germantown.008.Plate05
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network

✨Tour Details✨
📆This Saturday, October 10th
🕛 10:30 am - 12 pm
👟 Comfortable shoes recommended
🔗 https://cliveden.org/cliveden-property-walking-tour/

249 years ago today, Washington and his troops marched into Germantown to force the British out of Germantown and then (...
10/04/2026

249 years ago today, Washington and his troops marched into Germantown to force the British out of Germantown and then (hopefully) Philadelphia. The Continental Army was successful in surprising the British, but the resulting artillery fire alerted British Colonel Thomas Musgrave's 40th Regiment, who were camped in the fields surrounding Cliveden. Cut off from the main British line, Musgrave ordered his troops into the Main House and used it as a fortress during the battle.

On the Continental side, General Henry Knox suggested to Washington that their troops ‘reduce’ the house. They were ultimately unsuccessful; the thick stone walls protected the house from a cannon attack and fire, and American troops were unable to storm the house. After hours of intense fighting in and around Cliveden, Washington and his forces retreated to Montgomery County. 1,000 Continental soldiers lost their lives in the fight.

🖼: Painting of the Battle of Germantown, by an unknown British artist, c. 1780-1800

IT'S FESTIVAL DAY! Journey back to October 1777 and step right into living history at the Revolutionary Germantown Festi...
10/03/2026

IT'S FESTIVAL DAY!

Journey back to October 1777 and step right into living history at the Revolutionary Germantown Festival, happening today from 10am to 4pm, rain or shine.

Start your day at Cliveden — the epicenter of the Battle of Germantown — for hands-on activities, intimate portrayals of those who lived through the conflict, and guided tours of the Chew House (10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3:30pm)

What you’ll experience today:
✨ Living History: Hear the story of the Battle of Germantown from author Tom McGuire, meet the British and Continental armies (including a court-martial experience), visit with Ned Hector—an African American teamster who fought in the revolution—and catch a special portrayal of the famous dog exchange between Generals Washington and Howe.

✨18th-Century Trades: Watch a blacksmithing demonstration and try your hand at candle dipping, papermaking, and basket weaving.

✨Neighborhood Historic Sites: Explore historic sites across Germantown opening their doors for tours and activities throughout the day.

✨Tributes & Exhibitions: Join us in honoring the lives lost at the Battle of Germantown at 12pm, view the exhibition in the Barn and then join us in honoring those lost to gun violence in 2026 at 3:45pm.

✨Food & Drinks: Learn about 18th-century baking with Justin Cherry of (featured in The New York Times) and grab a loaf of fresh historic bread! Enjoy local food vendors along Germantown Avenue including .kitchen, , and . Enjoy a beverage Young American Hard C***r & Tasting Room , plus coffee and treats from High Point Cafe and Asher's Chocolates (while supplies last).

While you're at Cliveden, grab a Festival Guidebook for the schedule to help plan your time. We are excited to welcome you here at 10am!

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support: , , Randall & Linda Miller, Cheshire Law Group, , , Ted & Dianne Reed, and Wissahickon Landscape Design.


📍 at Cliveden - 6401 Germantown Avenue, 19144
📆 today, October 3rd
🕛 10am - 4pm, rain or shin

✨New festival activity alert: Storytime at the Literacy Nest!🪹At 11:30pm and 1pm, join Go Mt. Airy at the Literacy Nest...
10/01/2026

✨New festival activity alert: Storytime at the Literacy Nest!🪹

At 11:30pm and 1pm, join Go Mt. Airy at the Literacy Nest for a reading of the book, "George Washington and the General's Dog," which tells the story of General Washington returning British General Howe's dog after the 1777 Battle of Germantown.

Feel free to bring a blanket and get comfortable while listening to the story and then, at 12:15 pm, watch the story come to life when generals Washington and Howe re-enact the dog exchange at the festival.

Thank you to for being a part of this year's festival!

We're excited to have Museum of the American Revolution at the Revolutionary Germantown Festival again this year! They'l...
10/01/2026

We're excited to have Museum of the American Revolution at the Revolutionary Germantown Festival again this year! They'll be displaying and interpreting its First Oval Office Project, a recreated encampment that served as General Washington's mobile headquarters while on campaign. On Saturday, visitors can explore Washington's dining tent and learn more about the encampment from costumed historical interpreters.

The fun begins in two days at 10 am sharp - we'll see you there!

Thank you to festival sponsor Asher's Chocolates for the chocolate bars, pretzels and nonpareils for Saturday and the cu...
09/30/2026

Thank you to festival sponsor Asher's Chocolates for the chocolate bars, pretzels and nonpareils for Saturday and the custom packaging featuring our logo and 'Storming the Chew House' portrait! There's a limited number of each treat, so visit the Cliveden table near the Barn and grab some to take with you.

We'll see you on Saturday at 10am!
2026 Revolutionary Germantown Festival

Step back into 1777 this Saturday and experience history through stories from two first person interpreters:First, story...
09/30/2026

Step back into 1777 this Saturday and experience history through stories from two first person interpreters:

First, storyteller Irma Gardner-Hammond portrays Dinah, a once-enslaved woman who lived and labored at Stenton in the 18th-century. Hear about her experience of the Revolution at 1:30 pm and visit Stenton's table during the festival to view primary sources about her, and learn more about the Dinah Memorial.

At 2:30 pm, meet African American teamster Ned Hector - portrayed by first-person interpreter Noah Lewis - to learn about African American soldiers during the Revolution. Make sure to stop by his tent during the festival.

The Revolutionary Germantown Festival is 3 days away - visit our website for directions and schedule to prepare for your visit!

2026 Revolutionary Germantown Festival

Bring your appetite next Saturday at the Revolutionary Germantown Festival—there will be great food from local vendors a...
09/29/2026

Bring your appetite next Saturday at the Revolutionary Germantown Festival—there will be great food from local vendors and plenty of sweet surprises!

Here is a quick preview of what’s on the menu:

☕️ Morning Fuel: Grab a hot coffee and fresh pastries courtesy of High Point Cafe
🥗 Lunch & Desserts: Enjoy lunch throughout the afternoon from Boomer's Kitchen and Malelani Cafe Mt. Airy , and sweet treats from The Frosted Fox Cake Shop
🍎 Refreshments & Sweets: Sip on a seasonal beverage from Young American Hard C***r & Tasting Room (valid photo ID required) and pick up some treats from to enjoy throughout the day

Make room in your day to grab food while spending the day at the festival. We'll see you on Saturday!

2026 Revolutionary Germantown Festival
📅 Saturday, October 3rd | 10 AM – 4 PM
📍 Cliveden Grounds - 6401 Germantown Avenue, 19144
🌤 Rain or Shine

It's hard to believe, but the final Spotlight Tour of the year is almost here! 🍁Join us on Saturday, October 10th on a w...
09/27/2026

It's hard to believe, but the final Spotlight Tour of the year is almost here! 🍁

Join us on Saturday, October 10th on a walking tour exploring the historic boundaries of the Cliveden property and discovering how the grounds have transformed over the last 200 years.

✨Spotlight Tour: Cliveden Property Walking Tour✨
📆: Saturday, October 10th | 10:30 am - 12 pm
📍 Location & Distance: The tour begins at Cliveden (6401 Germantown Avenue) and is about 1.5 miles and about 90 minutes long with opportunities to stop and rest along the way.
👟 What to Bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and feel free to bring water.
🌧️ Weather: In the event of inclement weather, the tour will be rescheduled.

Whether you're curious about the history of the grounds or joining us for your very first Spotlight Tour, this is your last chance of the season.

🎟️ Get your tickets: Reserve online in advance through our website or purchase in person on the day of the tour. Sign up today!

Could you be a soldier in 1777? You'll want to consider this during your time at the Revolutionary Germantown Festival o...
09/25/2026

Could you be a soldier in 1777? You'll want to consider this during your time at the Revolutionary Germantown Festival on October 3rd.

Throughout the day, visit the British and Continental camps to hear about the soldier experience during the Revolution and Battle of Germantown such as what they ate, how they travelled and how they lived while on campaign. Visitors will get a deeper look into the soldiers' lives through two new events happening this year:

✨Dog Exchange: At 12:15 pm, watch a portrayal of the dog exchange between generals Washington and Howe after the Battle of Germantown.

✨Court Martial: At 1 pm, listen to a court martial for treason and learn what happens to the accused.

The Revolutionary Germantown Festival is 8 days away - see the full schedule at https://cliveden.org/revolutionary-germantown-festival/ to plan out your day!

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Telephone

+12158481777

Website

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