Glen Foerd on the Delaware

Specialties

Glen Foerd on the Delaware, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the only historic riverfront estate in Philadelphia open to the public. The estate’s property includes a 30,000 square foot mansion, a carriage house, garden house, gazebo, water tower, gate house, boat house and cottage. The estate’s 18-​acre grounds are listed on the Historic American Landscape Survey. Today the historic site’s grounds are free and open to the public everyday from dawn until dusk. Glen Foerd on the Delaware is a Fairmount Park property operated by the Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.

The estate’s exclusive caterer is Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods and Catering.

History

Established in 1985.

The Glen Foerd estate was established by Charles Macalester, Jr. Born in Philadelphia in 1798, he was a respected businessman and broker. In 1850, Macalester built a three story Italianate riverfront house on an 18-​acre estate, and called it Glengarry, after his family’s Scottish ancestral home.

In 1895 the estate was purchased by the Foerderer family who made additions and renovations to the property, and renamed the estate Glen Foerd. Members of the Foerderer family lived at the estate until 1971.

From 1971 until 1985 the Lutheran Church of American cared for the property. In 1985 Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation began operating the property as a historic site.

Today the estate’s grounds are free and open to the public. The mansion is open for tours Friday through Saturday (11 – 2). The property can be rented for special events and weddings through the site’s exclusive caterer Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods and Catering.