GPA Leads a National Historic Landmark Group Tour to Historic Johnson House
As part of Global Philadelphia’s new National Historic Landmarks Site Visit series—designed to connect historic and preservation leaders while fostering collaboration—the Historic Johnson House was the first stop on the list. This National Historic Landmark, located on the main street of Historic Germantown, holds significant importance in the early abolitionist movement for civil rights and has strong ties to early Quaker settlements and industry. The site visit program invites leaders and enthusiasts from our vibrant historical and preservation community to experience a guided tour of selected landmarks.
Cornelia Swinson, Executive Director of the Johnson House, graciously hosted a warm reception and arranged for an experienced tour guide to deliver a compelling lecture, followed by an in-depth tour of the site. During the lecture, we learned about the property's origins as a wedding gift and its first owners, the Johnson family. As Quakers, the Johnsons embraced a faith that fostered early support for civil liberties, particularly regarding race and ethnicity. We also explored the Underground Railroad network and the instrumental role the Johnsons played in helping countless African Americans escape from the South to freedom.
Throughout the tour, we examined architectural details that provided historical evidence of the house’s role as a significant stop on the Underground Railroad. Our guide demonstrated how formerly enslaved individuals identified the house using a signal light in the attic roof and explained the resources available to them upon arrival at the Johnson estate.
Several historic leaders joined us on this visit, representing esteemed institutions such as Carpenters’ Hall, the Please Touch Museum, Cliveden, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Athenaeum, and Laurel Hill Cemetery. Touring a historic site alongside fellow enthusiasts offered a unique opportunity to piece together Philadelphia’s interconnected history.
Our visit to the Johnson House was a truly enriching experience, and we highly encourage everyone to explore this remarkable landmark in Germantown!
