Cassey House

Cassey House at 243 Delancey Street is a four-story brick building positioned at the corner of South Philip Street in Philadelphia. The original property included a main residence facing the street and three additional apartments arranged in the rear courtyard.

Joseph Cassey moved from the French West Indies to Philadelphia before 1808 and acquired this property, establishing it as a family residence by 1845. The house became a foundation for generations of the family's influence and presence in the city.

The residence served as a center for a prominent African-American family dedicated to abolition and community education for Philadelphia's Black population. Visitors can sense how this house functioned as a place where family members advanced their values and supported social progress.

The location sits in Society Hill, a neighborhood with cobblestone streets and walkable paths that are easy to explore on foot. Its corner position and proximity to other historic sites make it straightforward to visit while exploring this district.

Matilda Inez Cassey, Joseph's granddaughter, was a classical pianist who performed concerts throughout Philadelphia while living in this house until 1916. Her musical talent and public performances helped establish the family home as a center for cultural activity in the city.