Pennypacker, Samuel W., School
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1929-1930 on East Washington Lane in Germantown, this three-story, eight-bay brick school sits on a raised basement and is faced with terra cotta trim and stone entryways. Designed by Irwin T. Catharine for the School District of Philadelphia, it follows a plan he used for a group of schools erected between 1924 and 1930. Its design blends Academic Gothic forms, such as a crenellated battlement topped by four small corner towers, with Art Deco motifs, including a large diapered brick panel and stone bays rising through the second and third floors. The building is regarded as one of the final Academic or Collegiate Gothic designs by Catharine and as a clear example of the school construction boom of the 1920s in Philadelphia. It remains in excellent condition and retains its original character, which is why it is considered important for the history of education and school architecture in the city.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its place in the history of education and of school architecture in Philadelphia. It is presented as one of a group of schools built on the same model by Irwin T. Catharine, combining Academic Gothic detailing with Art Deco features. The form notes that it was among Catharine's last designs in the Academic or Collegiate Gothic style and that it retains excellent integrity.
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 88002314, listed November 18, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1800--1850 E. Washington Ln., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | November 18, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88002314 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1929-1930 |
| Architect / builder | Irwin T. Catharine (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition |
| Acreage | 3.8 |
| Coordinates | 40.06517, -75.15898 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 88002314.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7412845
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.