Sansom Row
Encyclopedia
Sansom Row is a row of historic houses at 3402 to 3436 Sansom Street in the University City
neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
Built in 1869 to 1871, the rowhouses are constructed in matching three-story pairs, with brownstone facades and slate mansard roofs. They are significant as a surviving example of post-Civil War
architecture in the area.
Madame Blavatsky
, a founder of Theosophy
and the Theosophical Society
, lived here at 3420 Sansom Street for a time.
The houses were built as residences but most have been converted to other, mainly commercial uses.
University City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University City is the easternmost region of West Philadelphia.The University of Pennsylvania has long been the dominant institution in the area and was instrumental in coining the name University City as part of a 1950s urban-renewal effort...
neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Built in 1869 to 1871, the rowhouses are constructed in matching three-story pairs, with brownstone facades and slate mansard roofs. They are significant as a surviving example of post-Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
architecture in the area.
Madame Blavatsky
Madame Blavatsky
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky , was a theosophist, writer and traveler. Between 1848 and 1875 Blavatsky had gone around the world three times. In 1875, Blavatsky together with Colonel H. S. Olcott established the Theosophical Society...
, a founder of Theosophy
Theosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
and the Theosophical Society
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles and search for Truth known as Theosophy. The original organization, after splits and realignments has several successors...
, lived here at 3420 Sansom Street for a time.
The houses were built as residences but most have been converted to other, mainly commercial uses.
External links
- National Register Nomination, prepared by George E. Thomas, at the University City Historical Society.
- Listing at Philadelphia Architects and Buildings