Exploring Philadelphia Suburban Homes

In the late 1880s, entrepreneurs Joseph Lewis Wells and John Ferguson Hope embarked on an ambitious project to document Philadelphia’s suburban homes through large photographs. They captured over 150 unique houses designed by the city’s top architects of the previous decade, showcasing these structures on expansive lots. The project not only highlighted the distinctive architectural styles of the time but also offered a glimpse into the affluent lives of the homeowners, who likely received portraits of their homes in ornate green portfolios. This collection reflects a significant moment in architectural design, illustrating the creative freedom enjoyed by architects and the evolving suburban landscape.

Event presenter Jeff Cohen, a Boston native who settled in Philadelphia, wrote his dissertation on Victorian townhouses at Penn and has been teaching at Bryn Mawr College since the mid-1990s. His research interests include prominent architects like Benjamin Latrobe and Frank Furness, as well as early architectural drawings and panoramic street views.