Powel House
244 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
100 Capacity
$1,400 to $3,000 / Event
One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the United States, the Powel House was built in 1765.
Elizabeth Willing Powel, wife of Samuel Powel, didn’t just entertain the political elite with lavish meals; she had a strong voice and became one of Washington’s closest confidants during his presidency, advising him on issues both personal and political.
?Famous visitors during the Powel residency included George & Martha Washington, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de Lafayette and John Adams, who wrote of his enjoyment of a "most sinful feast" after a particular visit.
Powel House
244 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
100 Capacity
$1,400 to $3,000 / Event
One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the United States, the Powel House was built in 1765.
Elizabeth Willing Powel, wife of Samuel Powel, didn’t just entertain the political elite with lavish meals; she had a strong voice and became one of Washington’s closest confidants during his presidency, advising him on issues both personal and political.
?Famous visitors during the Powel residency included George & Martha Washington, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de Lafayette and John Adams, who wrote of his enjoyment of a "most sinful feast" after a particular visit.
Event Pricing
Monday - Thursday Events
100 people max
$1,400 - $2,500
per event
Friday Events
$2,500 per event
Sunday Events
$2,500 per event
Saturday Events
$3,000 per event
People Often Ask
The maximum capacity for garden ceremonies and receptions is 100 guests. For indoor events, we can accommodate up to 40 guests for a seated meal or ceremony, and up to 75 guests for a standing cocktail reception. If your event has more than 40 guests, your dining area must be set up in the garden.
Yes, meals hosted in our garden require a tent reservation through our exclusive vendor, Ocean Tents, to prepare for inclement weather. After securing the tent with a deposit, you can decide whether to install the tent the week of your event based on the weather forecast.
We work with an exclusive catering partner, Power Events Catering. They manage all food and beverage service, including setup, cleanup, trash removal, bar service, and the sourcing of rental items like linens, cutlery, and glassware.
Because the Powel House is located in a historic residential neighborhood, amplified live bands are not permitted. We allow acoustic musicians and small speakers for personal device playlists. For DJ services, we work exclusively with Stylus DJ Company, and no other DJs are permitted on the property.
Standard private rentals typically include 4 hours of event time. All events must take place within our designated rental timeframe boundaries between 12:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Yes, a refundable $1,000 security deposit is required. This deposit is separate from the venue rental fee and is fully refunded after the event, provided there are no damages or policy violations.
Yes, you are welcome to host both your ceremony and reception on-site.
No, we do not provide any technical, sound, or audiovisual equipment at the venue. Clients are responsible for coordinating permitted sound setups within our sound policies.
The Powel House is located in Philadelphia's historic Society Hill neighborhood. We also operate a sister museum property, the Hill-Physick House, located just a block and a half away, which features beautiful historic spaces and a whimsical tree-lined garden.
To ensure the preservation of our historic landmark, we require all clients to work with our exclusive vendors: Power Events Catering for food and bar service, Ocean Tents for outdoor tenting and lighting, and Stylus DJ Company if you choose to have a DJ.
Availability (Last updated 4/25)
Event Spaces
The Garden
The House
Additional Info
Neighborhood
Venue Types
Amenities
- ADA/ACA Accessible
- Outdoor Function Area
Features
- Max Number of People for an Event: 100