Nestled along the scenic Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Laurel Hill Mansion has a prominent location on a high bluff overlooking the river.

Francis Rawle purchased the land in 1760. In 1761, he was killed in a hunting accident. His widow, Rebecca, later remarried in 1767 to Samuel Shoemaker. Together, they decided to build a two story Georgian structure home on the land Rebecca inherited from her first husband. The center of the house was built around 1767. In early 1800’s, on the south side, a one story addition was added. The Octagonal addition on the north side, is Federal in style and was added to the house in 1846. During the Revolutionary War, Laurel Hill was confiscated and sold at auction by the state legislature because Rebecca and Samuel were British Loyalists. To escape imprisonment, Samuel returned to England taking his son, Edward and step-son, William Rawle. After the War ended, Rebecca purchased her house again for residency with her family. (laurelhillmansion.org)