Lemon Hill

Lemon Hill is a Federal-style mansion overlooking the Schuylkill River within Fairmount Park. The house contains three oval parlors arranged vertically, each featuring curved fireplace mantels and floor-to-ceiling double-hung windows framing the river landscape.

The mansion was built between 1799 and 1800 by Henry Pratt, a Philadelphia merchant. Its construction marked an important moment in the architectural development of what would become Fairmount Park.

The name comes from lemon trees that the original owner cultivated in greenhouses and displayed to paying visitors. This reflects how the estate functioned as an early form of botanical attraction for Philadelphia residents.

The house is accessible through guided tours offered by local preservation groups that showcase period furnishings and architectural details. Visitors should be prepared for stone stairs and multiple levels when exploring the interior.

Pratt turned the grounds into an early tourist attraction by charging visitors to see his greenhouses and botanical displays. This business approach was unusual for a private estate in the early 1800s.

Location: Pennsylvania

Architects: Henry C. Pratt

Architectural style: Federal architecture

GPS coordinates: 39.97080,-75.18720

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:03