Cliveden

Cliveden is a red brick Georgian mansion in Germantown with double-hung windows and detailed decorative moldings throughout its facade. The main building occupies seven acres of developed gardens and grounds that extend across the property.

The property was built in 1763 and became strategically important when British forces occupied it during the 1777 Battle of Germantown. The conflict transformed it from a family residence into a military stronghold during the Revolution.

The mansion holds records documenting the lives of enslaved individuals who labored for the Chew family across three centuries. These archives reveal perspectives often absent from traditional accounts of the property.

Plan your visit by booking tours at least three days ahead to ensure availability for the one-hour guided experience through the rooms. The grounds are walkable with clear paths connecting the gardens to the main building, making navigation straightforward for most visitors.

The grounds feature a certified Level I Arboretum that opens to the public during regular hours with no admission fee required. This plant collection provides visitors with an unexpected opportunity to explore botanical diversity at no additional cost.