Visiting Elfreth's Alley

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Did You Know?
 
House 126 was built by Jeremiah Elfreth in 1755 and sold to two women in 1762.  The house is furnshed with the types of 18th century furniture and objects that a working class woman would have owned in 1794.
Photo courtesy of Tom Crane Photography
 
The Elfreth's Alley Museum

The Elfreth's Alley Museum is located in House 126, built in 1755 by blacksmith and Alley namesake, Jeremiah Elfreth. The Museum has been restored and furnished to its c.1790 appearance and is the only house on Elfreth's Alley that is accessible to the public.

Guided tours of the museum are offered daily on the hour and half hour. Tours last approximately 20 minutes and take visitors through the first and second floors of the house and conclude in the rear yard.
Tickets are available in the Museum Shop in House 124.
 
Tours of the Museum give visitors a look at how daily life for working class people changed over the last 300 years by asking questions such as:
  • why were alleys and sidestreets built and who built them?
  • how did middle class people live and work in the 18th century?
  • how have individuals and families changed their houses over time to suit their needs?
  • how did work and family life change during the American Industrial Revolution?
  • how did immigration change neighborhoods in the early 20th century?
 
Self-guided Tourbooks
 
Guidebooks that tell the story of each of the Alley's 32 private homes and their residents over the last 300 years are available in the Museum Shop in House 124. Inside These Doors lets visitors experience the Alley on their own schedule, but does not let you see the inside of any of the houses.
 
Groups
 
Commercial and private groups are encouraged to make reservations at least 2 weeks prior to their visit. Private walking tours and special programs can be arranged by contacting the Museum at least one month in advance.
 
 
School Groups
 
School groups of all ages are welcome at Elfreth's Alley. Tour programs are always free for students, though the suggested donation for adult chaperones is $1.00 per person. Lesson plans and pre-visit packets are sent free of charge to all groups with reservations. Custom tours can be provided.
Large groups will be split into smaller groups of approximately 15 people each. Please contact the museum at (215) 574-0560 to discuss specific logisitical and content considerations.
 
Reservations at least 2 weeks in advance are required.
 
 
 
Hours
 
March through October
Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5pm
Sunday noon to 5pm
Closed Easter Sunday, April 8
 
November through February
Thursday to Saturday 10 am to 5pm
Sunday noon to 5pm


Cost
 
Museum Tours
  • Adults - $5.00. Includes 20 minute guided tour and free copy of Inside These Doors, the self-guided walking tour of the Alley's private homes.
  • Students (6-18)- $1.00. Includes 20 minute guided tour.
  • Under 6 - FREE
Guidebooks
  • Inside These Doors, the self-guided walking tour of the Alley's private homes. This tour does not include access to the interior of any of the houses.  $3.00 
Groups (15+ adults)
  • Commercial and private tour groups can reserve private tours of the Museum for $4.00/adult including a copy of Inside These Doors for each group member. Reservations made at least 2 weeks in advance are required to qualify for the group discount.