Germantown’s New ‘White House’

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When President George Washington and his family inhabited the Deshler-Morris House in the 1790s they brought along a 23-person entourage that was in charge of making sure the household ran efficiently. This support system consisted of an array of paid and unpaid individuals, such as accountants, domestic servants and African slaves, who played an integral role in creating the history that is told there today. After a yearlong shutdown, the newly named Germantown “White House,” which is located at 5442 Germantown Ave., will reopen to the public in April after a $4.8 million renovation project that funded updated utilities, a geo-thermal heating and cooling system and an interactive exhibit spotlighting the lives of these lesser-known individuals.

Chief Officer Stephen Sitarski of the National Park Service says relaying these other stories will not only provide viewers a more powerful link to an iconic personage but may also engage Germantown’s sizable black population by telling stories that will appeal to a wider audience. “It’s common to hear from African-Americans that knew the site was famous but never felt connected or welcome.  A part of that is simply because they weren’t included in the story,” says Sitarski.

The four-story establishment is one of 22 sites managed by the National Park Service in Philadelphia. Historic Germantown’s Program Director Anne Burnett hopes the learning opportunities will benefit the community. “This new site is making history come alive,” she says, “The new exhibits will welcome a larger audience by explaining and interpreting the stories of individuals who are not well-known in history. The telling of these personal stories is essential to informing the community about its past.  As we work with other historic groups, we’re finding that with collaborative efforts we can do more than one individual site and try to find new ways to involve everyone.”

The tour begins next door in the Bringhurst House, where guests can browse a new gallery adorned with photographs, time lines and pictorial storyboards that trace Germantown’s progression from a wealthy suburban area in the 18th century to the diverse, working class neighborhood it is today. Also highlighted is a detailed sequence of the Battle of Germantown in 1777 and information regarding the yellow fever epidemic that plagued Philadelphians in 1793. Another area of the room is dedicated to the people who inhabited the house, including two servants, Hercules and Oney Judge, who are singled out because of their successful efforts to seize freedom. Visualizations of their time with the Washington family can be found in the large kitchen where Hercules prepared the family’s meals and the room in which Olney slept while tending to Washington’s granddaughter, Nelly.

The 10 other rooms open to visitors include the First Lady’s tea room, a cozy family parlor and the space where the president ruminated over foreign and domestic affairs with distinguished cabinet members like Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.  While all of the furniture is a replica of what was actually used in the house, Sitarski says the footprint is much the same. “The home is considered by historic architects to be one of the most intact 18th century homes in America,” he says, “75 percent of it is original.” This is due to the immaculate upkeep of the Deshlers, who kept the house in their family for 130 years.

“Years ago if you had come here, primarily you would have learned about David Deshler, who built the house, and the story of the first family,” says Sitarski, “There may have been a passing reference to the fact that they had household servants and slaves.  Today the exhibit and the story have been expanded to provide much more detail about the other individuals in the household. One of the most interactive factors will be the actors portraying people such as Oney Judge, which will provide a real-life experience for visitors and enable them to hear the stories firsthand.”

Germantown Historical Society Director Laura E. Beardsley believes the changes will make a positive connection with the community. “I think anything that broadens Germantown’s experience of its history and opens discussions about enslaved African Americans of the time will have an impact. It’s important to develop programs for a wide range of audiences.  The Germantown White House is a story not successfully told to the Germantown community and the National Park Service should be commended for sharing a more enriched perspective.”

Sitarski is optimistic the new format will present a more accurate telling of Germantown’s remarkable historic roots. “When visitors come through the house, we want them to experience the accounts and examine the viewpoints of the people who lived here. Our primary mission is to save and preserve these stories so we can share them with the public.” For those who can’t wait until the grand opening in April, the National Park Service will be hosting a sneak peak in honor of Washington’s birthday from noon to 4 p.m.on Feb. 20.