National Historic Landmark

Philadelphia Contributionship

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Listed
May 26, 1971
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
71000732

About this property

The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire is the oldest property insurance company in the United States. It was organized by Benjamin Franklin in 1752 and incorporated in 1768. The Contributionship's building, at 212 S. 4th Street between Walnut and Locust Streets in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, was built in 1835-36 and was designed by Thomas U. Walter in the Greek Revival style, with Corinthian columns. The portico was replaced in 1866 by Collins and Autenreith, who also expanded the living quarters on the top two floors by adding a mansard roof. A marble cornice between the third and fourth floors was also added. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

Location

212 S. 4th St.
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
39.94684, -75.14847

Categories

COMMERCEARCHITECTURESOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

Carpenters' Hall
Industrial
0.1 mi
Society Hill Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Second Bank of the United States
Industrial
0.1 mi
Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Industrial
0.1 mi
American Philosophical Society Hall
Industrial
0.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Germantown Oct 4 1777
1777Revolutionary War
3.8 mi
Battle of Gloucester (NJ) 1777
1777Revolutionary War
4 mi
Fort Mercer siege Oct-Nov 1777
1777Revolutionary War
4.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Philadelphia Contributionship listed on the National Register?

Philadelphia Contributionship was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 26, 1971.

What type of historic resource is Philadelphia Contributionship?

Philadelphia Contributionship is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Philadelphia Contributionship a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Philadelphia Contributionship has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Philadelphia Contributionship?

The period of significance for Philadelphia Contributionship is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Philadelphia Contributionship?

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