Bishop White House, Philadelphia

The Bishop White House, an example of Colonial and Federal elegance, stands as a significant historical landmark in Philadelphia. Constructed in 1786, this upper-class residence was the home of the Reverend Dr. William White, the first Episcopal Bishop of Pennsylvania. Dr. White, who was instrumental in founding the Episcopal Church following the break with England, resided in this house from its construction in 1787 until his death in 1836.

Renowned for his role as rector of both Christ Church and Saint Peter's Church, Bishop White also served as the chaplain to the Continental Congress. His home, a center of social and political life, hosted many notable figures of early America, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. George Washington notably dined in this house in November of 1798.

Restored to its late 18th-century grandeur, the Bishop White House now forms a part of the Independence National Historical Park. This restoration offers contemporary visitors an authentic glimpse into the life of a prosperous Philadelphian from that era. The house is furnished with period artifacts, many of which are original and were owned by Bishop White himself. This includes around 150 books from his extensive personal library, displayed prominently in the second-floor study, along with his original bed and personal effects.

A second residence known as the Bishop White House can be found on Old Mill Lane within the Historic District of Rose Valley. Bishop White relocated his family to this house back in 1793, amidst the outbreak of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. While his family resided there and he occasionally paid visits, Bishop White primarily stayed in Philadelphia during that period.