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Confronting the Past
The institution of slavery is woven deep into the economic growth and political fabric of America. Benjamin Chew was born on a Maryland plantation into a family with a history of slave-holding dating back to the 17th century.
Preserving the Past
At Cliveden we have many fascinating item collections that help you understand the world of the Chew family. View our collections at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Shown: Tea cup and saucer from 1811.

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Drawings On Display: John O’Leary Architectural Renderings
John O’Leary drawings on display through June 1, 2025 John O’Leary is a Philadelphia artist specializing in architectural rendering. The Cliveden staff met him in 2024 as a neighbor who visited the site frequently to sketch. Originally from Pittsburgh, John created work for the Duquesne Incline Historical Society, McNeil Labs, Mellon Bank, and others. The…
Read more...2025 Cliveden Tour Season
Cliveden Tour Season begins May 1st! The Cliveden tour season begins Thursday, May 1st and ends on Sunday, November 23rd. Tours are available Thursday through Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. The last tour of the day is at 3pm. Tours are an hour-long experience and feature our Cliveden Barn, the grounds, our current exhibit The Turmoil…
Read more...Stamp Rally Scavenger Hunt Contest
Participate in Historic Germantown’s Stamp Rally Scavenger Hunt Contest! The Historic Germantown Stamp Rally Scavenger Hunt Contest begins April 19th! Visitors can pick up a Stamp Rally booklet on April 19th and visit the 20 Historic Germantown sites for a stamp and to find a specific item at each site for the hunt. The deadline…
Read more...The Sacred Remains: American Attitudes Toward Death in the Early 19th Century
Join Dr. Gary Laderman as he explores the changing attitudes toward death and the dead in the first half of the 19th century. Our current exhibit at Cliveden, The Turmoil of Transition, explores the experiences of one household after the death of Benjamin Chew Jr in 1844. The program is free and virtual; advanced registration…
Read more...Recording Available: Vault Visit
Recording available for Facebook Live program Vault Visit: Jacob the Freedom Seeker A recording available for the Facebook Live program, Vault Visit: Jacob the Freedom Seeker, is now available. In this Facebook Live event, Cliveden’s Education Director Carolyn Wallace and Adrienne Whaley of the African American Genealogy Group (AAGG) explored the freedom-seeking strategies among the…
Read more...View our Latest Events
Music in the Parlor
Music in the Parlor: Saturday, May 31st ~ 12pm to 4pm New Jersey based historical musicians, The Ministers of Apollo, will play 19th-century music in Cliveden’s Parlor on Saturday, May 31st, 12pm to 4pm. Tour the first floor of the house and hear a song or two during your visit. The program is free. Cliveden is located…
About this eventDrawings On Display: John O’Leary Architectural Renderings
John O’Leary drawings on display through June 1, 2025 John O’Leary is a Philadelphia artist specializing in architectural rendering. The Cliveden staff met him in 2024 as a neighbor who visited the site frequently to sketch. Originally from Pittsburgh, John created work for the Duquesne Incline Historical Society, McNeil Labs, Mellon Bank, and others. The…
About this eventStamp Rally Scavenger Hunt Contest
Participate in Historic Germantown’s Stamp Rally Scavenger Hunt Contest! The Historic Germantown Stamp Rally Scavenger Hunt Contest begins April 19th! Visitors can pick up a Stamp Rally booklet on April 19th and visit the 20 Historic Germantown sites for a stamp and to find a specific item at each site for the hunt. The deadline…
About this eventThe Sacred Remains: American Attitudes Toward Death in the Early 19th Century
Join Dr. Gary Laderman as he explores the changing attitudes toward death and the dead in the first half of the 19th century. Our current exhibit at Cliveden, The Turmoil of Transition, explores the experiences of one household after the death of Benjamin Chew Jr in 1844. The program is free and virtual; advanced registration…
About this eventTestimonials from our Visitors
