Instrumental & Choral Music Performances

PhilaLandmarks Early Music Series brings Powel House and Hill-Physick House to life with beautiful, educational period-instrument chamber music performances through-out the year.

Our concerts give our audience a unique chance to experience an intimate and authentic 18th centurysalon. Performances are interspersed with educational commentary and always include a complimentary wine and cheese reception with the musicians. 

Concerts are held both indoors and in our beautiful gardens, depending on the season. Philadelphia is the home of numerous world-class early music ensembles and we have hosted a diverse range of these premiere music groups: The Franklin Quartet, Filament, Kleine Kammersmusik, Night Music, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and Grand Harmonie.

Theatrical Performances & Artists-in-Residence

Theatrical performances are numerous and varied at PhilaLandmarks Houses. And have included everything from dramatizations from literature — Hedda Gabler, The Yellow Wallpaper, La Ronde, Christmas Carol, She Stoops to Conquer among many other — to creative new productions.

We have featured numerous Philadelphia area production companies performing costumed participatory events like Murder Mystery night, Ghosts of the Mansions Tours and also hosted artist-in-residence productions such as Shadow House based on the history of the Powel House.

We have also presented re-creations of John Adams’ Sinful Feast at the Powel House and other performative events with our house ‘Historical Characters’ included.

The production companies we have worked with have included Mechanical Theatre, Hear Again Radio Project, Tiny Dynamite, Philadelphia Artists Collection Theatre Company, Philadelphia Opera Collective and Die-Cast to name a few.

Contemporary Art Installations

Past exhibitions included a site-specific installation Trusim at Hill-Physick House by the renowned international artist Jenny Holzer. And at Powel House, an exhibition of works by artist Karen Kiliminik. Her installation at Powel House was featured in the New York Times.

Karen Kilimnik’s project at Powel House was her first major ‘intervention’ in a historic space in the US, and it is fitting that it should take place in her home-city. Given Philadelphia was the center of the political and social life in our nation’s early history, the Powel House was an ideal location for Kilimnik's ongoing interrogation of history.

Watch for announcements of our future program to once again bring contemporary art installations to our Society Hill houses in 2024.

Dance Events

Given how much dancing was done in the ballrooms of our houses, it is fitting for us to host dance performances for our members and audiences.

In fact, George Washington danced at the Powel House on many occasions. The first President was athletic and graceful and thoroughly enjoyed dancing. Records document him partnering with many Philadelphia belles on the dance floors at Powel House, as well as at City Tavern and Oeller’s Hotel on Chestnut Street.

Over the years, PhilaLandmarks has continued the dance tradition, inviting many talented dance groups to perform. Recently, Ballet X, an acclaimed company which has produced over 100 world premiere ballets, has performed at Grumblethorpe during one of our Second Saturday events in partnership with local Germantown dance schools.

We have also hosted Ballet X’s program for elementary school children, Dance eXchange which emphasizes dance as a means to promote self-confidence.

Jazz Performances

Our American history loving audiences love hearing jazz groups— it’s the only art form founded in America and rooted in African American culture. Our jazz programming has included both indoor and outdoor concerts and a wide range of Jazz styles and ensemble sizes.

Weddings and events held at our houses often have some element of Jazz music especially during cocktail hour and dinner. Among the jazz ensemble who have played at our houses over the years include the Alex Delacroix Trio, and the Summer Sounds Concerts in partnership with VisitPhilly.

Readings & Panels

PhilaLandmarks presents readings and panels on a whole range of relevant historical topics that connect with our society and culture today and lend comparison to the key issues we are facing going forward.

We bring in academics, historians and experts in a wide range of fields to ensure discussions are educational, lively and memorable. We also often partner with other area historical institutions to enhance our programming content for our audiences.

Partner institutions include Mount Vernon, the Rosenbach Museum and Library, the Historical Society of PA, the Museum of the American Revolution, the National Constitution Center, the Chester County History Center, and the Library Company of Philadelphia to name a few.

Other programs we have presented in the past include storytelling for children and partnering with The Head & the Hand Press to host Writer’s Groups at Hill-Physick House.