Washington Square
Why it's listed
Washington Square is an open green space in central Philadelphia, first seeded and planted by the City in 1816 and opened as a public promenade in 1825. Its original planting was designed by George Bridport, and John Haviland was commissioned for its lamps. The square was granted by patent specifically as a burial ground, and from 1705 to 1795 many strangers, Revolutionary War soldiers and victims of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic were interred there. It survived an 1805 University of Pennsylvania building proposal and an 1870 City Hall proposal rejected by popular vote. Its present form dates largely to the early 1950s, under designs by Edwin Brumbaugh. The central monument includes a bronze statue of Washington cast from a 1790 Houdon sculpture, and a sarcophagus holding the skeleton of a Revolutionary soldier. Shrubs, fourteen flagpoles and a brick wall complete the design. Residents, office workers, children and tourists have used it continually.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the square has served the neighborhood for nearly two centuries as a recreational and civic green space, and that its layout, monument and early use as a burial ground give it lasting importance. It also notes the buildings by well-known architects that line the streets around it.
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 81000558, listed September 14, 1981. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Locust and 6th Sts., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | September 14, 1981 |
| Reference number | 81000558 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Landscape Architecture, Art, Conservation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Acreage | 6.6 |
| Within district | Society Hill Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.94697, -75.15226 (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 81000558.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7972205
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.