Benjamin West Birthplace

Benjamin West Birthplace is a stone house with a gabled roof positioned on the Swarthmore College campus, featuring five bays across its front wall. The interior was completely rebuilt following a major fire in the 1870s, and an addition was constructed to extend the original structure.

Built in 1724, this house was home to a figure who would shape 18th-century British art and become instrumental in establishing an American artistic tradition. National recognition came in the 1960s when the site was designated a landmark, acknowledging its historical importance.

This building marks the birthplace of an artist who became a bridge between European and American art traditions during the 18th century. Visitors today can sense the connection to a time when artistic knowledge and styles traveled across the Atlantic to shape a new artistic voice.

The house is located on the Swarthmore College campus and serves as the visitor information center, so it is easily accessible during campus hours. Check with the college about visiting times and access policies, as it sits on private institutional grounds.

A fire in 1874 destroyed the interior and forced a complete rebuild of all the internal spaces inside. This makes the house today unusual: its outer shell preserves the original design while its interior tells the story of 19th-century reconstruction.

Location: Pennsylvania

Inception: 1724

GPS coordinates: 39.90500,-75.35167

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:46