Reynolds-Morris House
Why it's listed
Built in 1786-87 by John and William Reynolds, this brick townhouse on St. James and 8th Streets in Philadelphia is a three-and-a-half story structure laid in Flemish bond with glazed headers. Its heavy modillioned cornice, stone lintels scored to resemble keystoned architraves, and a central doorway with a fanlight and pediment reflect the Georgian taste of its period, while the entrance hints at the Federal style then emerging. Unlike most row houses of the time, it spans a double-width lot, producing a center hall that opens onto a garden and a plan closer to a country house. Interior features include a large parlor with a Greek fret frieze and a library with matching chimney wall. Its listing rests on its survival as one of the finest original Georgian townhouses in the city. Nineteenth- and early twentieth-century additions were made to the rear, and adjoining houses were demolished in 1914, leaving the house freestanding.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the finest surviving original examples of a Georgian Philadelphia townhouse, and its double-lot plan with a center hall is described as uncommon. Its survival of the original architecture and interior elements, including its mantels, paneling and cornices, supports its significance. Its later garden setting is said to preserve the sense of an elegant city dwelling despite the loss of adjoining row houses.
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 67000020, listed December 24, 1967. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 225 S. 8th St., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | December 24, 1967 |
| Reference number | 67000020 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1786-1787 |
| Architect / builder | John Reynolds (probable architect and builder); William Reynolds (co-builder) |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 24, 1967 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored during the ownership of Effingham B. Morris; later owned by A. W. Ayer and Company, used as a guest house until 1968, then sold as a private family residence. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Within district | Society Hill Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.94736, -75.15412 (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 67000020.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7319627
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.