Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, House
Why it's listed
Bainbridge and South Adler Streets form the corner where this three-story masonry rowhouse stands in Philadelphia. Its construction date is unknown, since building permits were not required until 1890, but it was the home of writer and reformer Frances Ellen Watkins Harper from 1870 until her death in 1911. Extensive alterations have removed any clear architectural style. The first floor was converted from a storefront to a residential facade, and the west side was covered in stucco. Harper was born in Baltimore in 1825 and became a lecturer for the abolitionist cause in the 1850s. Her later work covered women's suffrage, temperance and the welfare of freedpeople in the South. She published poetry, essays and the novel Iola Leroy, which is recognized as the first novel by an Afro-American woman. The house is significant chiefly for its association with her life and work.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant as the Philadelphia home of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, who lived there from 1870 until her death in 1911. Harper is presented as a reformer and writer active in the abolitionist, women's suffrage, temperance and civil rights movements, and as the first Afro-American woman to publish a novel.
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 76001663, listed December 8, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1006 Bainbridge St., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | December 8, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001663 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1870-1911 |
| Areas of significance | Black, Literature, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 8, 1976 |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.94188, -75.15942 (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 76001663.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5478627
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.