About
A Breif History of Stenton
Stenton is a property administered by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. James Logan erected this fine example of early Georgian architecture in the countryside near Philadelphia between 1723 and 1730. Logan had come to Philadelphia with William Penn in 1699 as his secretary, and for the rest of his life remained the Penn family's representative in the colony and at the center of Pennsylvania's political life. Although now in a densely populated urban area with factories and railroad nearby, Stenton's present three-acre site preserves significant buildings, landscape, and objects.
As perhaps the most important building in Philadelphia extant from the early 18th century, Stenton offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to explore the material culture and the political, cultural, social and architectural history of one of the elite families in Colonial Pennsylvania, as well as the lives of others who lived and interacted with the property. In 1899, the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of America entered into a lease agreement with the Logan family to manage Stenton. Then, after the property was purchased by the City of Philadelphia, the Society of Colonial Dames was charged in 1910 "to preserve and maintain Stenton as an historic object lesson." Today, managed by the Stenton Committee of The NSCDA/PA, the historic site is interpreted to a wide public.
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is dedicated to preserving our State and National heritage through preservation of historic properties, conservation of antiquities and archives, education, scholarships, patriotism and respect for our Colonial ancestors whose distinguished service prior to 1776 and ideals are the foundation of our Country.
One of the Society's most important service projects is the preservation and administration of Stenton.