Germantown Cricket Club
Also known as: Manheim Club
Why it's listed
Set on the northern edge of its grounds in Germantown, Philadelphia, the clubhouse was designed by Charles F. McKim and built in 1890-91 for the Germantown Cricket Club. Its main block is a Flemish-bond brick building of two and a half stories with a massive gable roof, and its lawn front is screened by a two-story colonnade. Wings added by McKim, Mead & White in 1902 and 1907 extend the building, and the firm also built a three-story Athletic Building in 1901 with squash courts, bowling alleys and an indoor swimming pool. The adjoining lawn has kept its original layout since 1890 and hosted the Davis Cup matches of the 1920s. The club's grounds also include a late nineteenth-century stable, a small outbuilding remodeled by McKim, and wrought-iron gates and a brick fence. The property is important for its cricket history, its role in American tennis through William T. Tilden II, and its clubhouse as an early example of the Georgian Revival style the firm later popularized.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the club is the second oldest surviving cricket club in the United States and that its cricket played at international rank in the 19th century. It states that the club played an important role in the history of tennis, most notably through William T. Tilden II, and that the clubhouse is an excellent example of Georgian Revival design by McKim, Mead & White.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87000758, listed February 27, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5140 Morris St., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | February 27, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000758 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890-1891 |
| Architect / builder | Charles F. McKim (architect); McKim, Mead & White (architects of later wings and Athletic Building) |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 27, 1987 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The grandstand and the pre-existing McKean House have been demolished; the other listed features remain, with some early 20th-century modifications. The Juniors' Clubhouse is presently used for storage, and the playing field is principally used for lawn tennis. |
| Acreage | 10 |
| Coordinates | 40.02327, -75.17348 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87000758.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3459758
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.