Woodford
Why it's listed
Woodford is a Georgian mansion in East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, begun in 1756 by William Coleman, a judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. It was built in stages: the ground floor of the front section in 1756 to 1759, a second floor and separate stair hall about 1772, and a two-story kitchen wing around 1790. The brick front is laid in Flemish bond and has a modillioned cornice, a pedimented doorway on Tuscan columns, and a large Palladian window. The interior has a wainscoted central hall, paneled parlor and dining room with deep window seats, and coved ceilings. A stone stable and a servants' house, both regarded as dating from the first construction phase, survive alongside it. The complex is significant as one of the earliest and most complete mansions in the Colonial chain of Fairmount Park, and its furnished rooms illustrate colonial household life.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Woodford was begun in 1756 and is chronologically the first of the late Georgian mansions in the Philadelphia area. It is one of the few surviving multi-building complexes in the Colonial Chain of Fairmount Park mansions, and its surviving 18th-century stable is described as rare. Its furnished interior, assembled by the Naomi Wood Trust, is regarded as one of the most complete early furnishings of any Philadelphia museum house.
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 67000021, listed December 24, 1967. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | December 24, 1967 |
| Reference number | 67000021 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1756-1772 |
| 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) | Operated as a historic house museum; the stable is not now used and the small house is occupied by a Fairmount Park employee. |
| Acreage | 9.5 |
| Within district | Fairmount Park |
| Coordinates | 39.99280, -75.18803 (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 67000021.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16903616
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.