HISTORIC POWEL HOUSE RENTALS

“The House Where Washington Danced.”

The Historic Samuel Powel House

Built in 1765, Powel House is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the United States.

Famous visitors during the Samuel and Elizabeth Powel residency included George and Martha Washington, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de Lafayette, the Marquis de Chastellux, and John and Abigail Adams.

The Powel House became known as “The place where Washington [and many of our founding fathers] dined!"

The Powels Set the Standard in Hosting

Elizabeth Willing Powel didn’t just entertain the political elite with lavish dinners and dances, she had a powerful voice and became one of Washington’s closest confidants during his presidency, advising him on issues both personal and political.

Her dinner parties were so renowned, that John Adams, wrote after one visit, "...a most sinful feast again! Everything which could delight the eye or allure the taste...."

The Majestic Grand Ballroom

The second floor ballroom is an exceptionally lovely space to entertain your guests. This is the room where the Powel’s held their famous salons and dinner parties.

The Ballroom may be used for seated luncheons or dinners of up to 40 people. Cocktail receptions of up to 75 people can utilize rooms on both the 1st and 2nd floors. Musicians can be brought in to create aural beauty, intimacy and atmosphere.

Guests are welcome to explore. Our House managers are on site to answer any questions about the House’s history and its famous inhabitants.

A Beautiful City Garden

Trees and Lush Gardens Add Beauty

The 18th century Powel House garden provides an enchanting backdrop for your city wedding. Our lovely gardens together with the extraordinary beauty of the Powel House ensure the perfect blend of America’s founding history and the serenity and beauty of nature.

Lush trees surround our lovely grounds, their overhanging branches creating both intimacy and charm. Your guests can meander along the historic brick walkways and take in both the classic elegance of this famous Georgian house and its lovely pastoral setting, which include flowering gardens, a wide green lawn, and our newly restored trellis fence covered with stunning violet Wisteria, all framed by classic, red brick walls.

There are also wooden benches where guests can sit and converse in smaller groups and other spaces for creating quiet corners and other unique activity stations. You and your guests will soon forget you are celebrating in the heart of Society Hill. The grounds are large enough to accommodate up to 100 guests for a seated dinner.

Garden Ceremonies Are Enchanting

After cocktails and hors d'oeuvres inside this historic Georgian house, you can escort your guests into Powel House’s charming, intimate garden for your ceremony and dinner.

If can choose to hold your ceremony under the shade of the majestic tree at the end of the wide green lawn, the historic and lengthy brick walkway surrounding the lawn and gardens provides an elegant, dramatic way for the bride and wedding party to make their entrances.

A ‘red carpet’ of sorts that ensures your photographer(s) can fully capture all the important moments in the opening sequence of your ceremony.

Tents can provide a lovely addition to events held in our garden. They offer you still more decorating opportunities to establish your mood and theme.

For all seated parties over fifty 40 people and standing cocktail parties over 75 people, we do require that a rain-hold is placed on a tent. For more information, please contact our tent rental company partner on our Rental Terms page or our Preferred Vendors page.

Evening Dinners Create Intimacy & Romance

Powel House’s lovely grounds set against the backdrop of this seminal Georgian house provide a gorgeous stage for any special event, especially at night. After a twilight ceremony either inside the historic house or outside under the setting sun, this unique pastoral setting can be transformed for the evening segments of your celebration.

The trellised entrance, flourishing gardens and the surrounding walkways provide opportunities to create beautifully lit, unique gathering spaces under the night sky to add drama, beauty and romance to your evening. And help set the stage for a memorable night.

Bistro lights, string lights and other romantic lighting options together with enchanting classical music can help you bring a special magic, glamour and atmosphere to your sit-down dinner.

A pristine white tent can be a lovely addition, creating a storybook feel that makes for stunning photography. Moreover, a tent ensures protection should it rain and also brings a warmth and intimacy to your dinner and provides you additional ways to decorate and establish the feel you want to create.