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Free Quaker Meeting House Review

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Free Quaker Meeting House

Address: 500 Arch St., Old City, Philadelphia, PA | Map It
Phone: 215/965-2305
www.nps.gov/inde/fqmh.html

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Old City

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 2.4/5

Fodor's Review:

This was the house of worship for the Free "Fighting" Quakers, a group that broke away from the Society of Friends to take up arms against the British during the Revolutionary War. The building was designed in 1783 by Samuel Wetherill, one of the original leaders of the group, after they were disowned by their pacifist brothers. Among the 100 members were Betsy Ross (then Elizabeth Griscom) and Thomas Mifflin, a signer of the Constitution. After the Free Quaker group dissolved (many left to become Episcopalian), the building was used as a school, library, and warehouse. The meeting house, built in the Quaker plain style with a brick front and gable roof, has been carefully restored.

Cost: Free
Open: Hrs vary

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 10/19/08
Another historic Quaker house of worship. Nice to see, and easy to include on a walk in this area, but not as essential as the Arch Street Meeting House.