Philadelphia Contributionship

Philadelphia Contributionship
(2013)
Philadelphia Contributionship is located in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Contributionship
Philadelphia Contributionship is located in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Contributionship
Philadelphia Contributionship is located in the United States
Philadelphia Contributionship
Location212 S. 4th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates39°56′49″N 75°08′54″W / 39.946825°N 75.148249°W / 39.946825; -75.148249
Built1835-36
ArchitectThomas U. Walter
Collins and Autenreith[1]
Architectural styleGreek Revival[1]
NRHP reference No.71000732
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 27, 1971[3]
Designated NHLDecember 22, 1977[4]
Designated PHMCDecember 17, 1954[2]
Philadelphia Contributionship Historical Marker at 212 S 4th St Philadelphia PA

The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire is the oldest property insurance company in the United States. It was organized by Benjamin Franklin in 1752 and incorporated in 1768.[1][5]

The Contributionship's building, at 212 S. 4th Street between Walnut and Locust Streets in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, was built in 1835-36 and was designed by Thomas U. Walter in the Greek Revival style, with Corinthian columns. The portico was replaced in 1866 by Collins and Autenreith, who also expanded the living quarters on the top two floors by adding a mansard roof. A marble cornice between the third and fourth floors was also added.[1] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.[4][6]

  1. ^ a b c d Gallery, John Andrew, ed. (2004), Philadelphia Architecture: A Guide to the City (2nd ed.), Philadelphia: Foundation for Architecture, ISBN 0962290815, p.50
  2. ^ "PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  3. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  4. ^ a b "Philadelphia Contributionship". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
  5. ^ "Key events in the history of Contributionship". The Contributionship Companies. Archived from the original on February 5, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  6. ^ George R. Adams (May 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Philadelphia Contributionship" (pdf). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying 9 photos, exterior and interior, from 1972 and 1977 (32 KB)