Grumblethorpe Tenant House
Also known as: Tenant House of Wister`s Big House; See Also:Colonial Germant
Why it's listed
Built of local pointed stone around 1744 as a dependency of John Wister's summer home, Grumblethorpe, in Germantown, Philadelphia, this small dwelling was first a single story with a cellar kitchen and a large central chimney serving corner fireplaces in the front and back rooms. Its eastern section, measuring 19 by 28 feet, is similar to Philadelphia houses planned for year-round occupancy, with a door and passage set against one gable wall. Later in the 1800s, it was raised to two and one-half stories and two rooms were added to the west, giving it a center door and passage. The house is regarded as an excellent example of a small Colonial-era dwelling and is valued for its association with the Wister estate. Its plastered walls and much of the original wood trim remain intact, and the property lies within the Germantown Avenue National Historic Landmark area.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its relationship to the larger Wister house and for its original architectural features. Its eastern, earliest section resembles Philadelphia houses planned for year-round occupancy, and the building is presented as an excellent example of a small Colonial-era dwelling. The property is also located within the Germantown Avenue National Historic Landmark area.
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 72001156, listed June 19, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5269 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | June 19, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001156 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1744-1800 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Original site; the form rates its condition as good and notes it was altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Colonial Germantown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.03212, -75.16864 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 72001156.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5612046
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.