Johnson House Historic Site, House museum in Colonial Germantown Historic District, Philadelphia, United States.
The Johnson House is a stone residence in Germantown with Dutch-style doors, original interior woodwork, and hardwood floors that display Georgian design from the 18th century. The building features walls with visible bullet marks from a battle, and its rooms hold furniture and objects that document the family's life and activities.
Stone for this house was laid in 1768 by Jacob Norr, and during a battle in 1777 musket and cannon fire damaged the structure in ways still visible today. The building was later taken over by the Johnson family, who used it as a place to help people in need.
This residence served as shelter for people escaping slavery, reflecting the Quaker beliefs that guided the Johnson family's commitment to helping others. Visitors today experience the actual rooms where this assistance took place and understand the personal side of their activism.
The site sits in Germantown's historic district and is reachable by public transportation, with good orientation from the street and nearby landmarks. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since exploring this location and the surrounding neighborhood requires walking.
The building contains hidden rooms and passages that were built during the Underground Railroad era to safely conceal and move people. These architectural features show the creativity and planning required to operate a dangerous support network.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
