John Bartram House & Garden, Greenhouse, 54th Street & LIndbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Significance: The greenhouse at Bartram's Garden was constructed by John Bartram (1699-1777), the well-known early American botanist and explorer, in 1760-1761. Despite its later incorporation into a larger structure to the north, the greenhouse unit is essentially intact and remains among the earliest extant structures of this type in North America. Originally heated by an exterior-fed Pennsylvania Fireplace and interior flues, the greenhouse's thick rubble stone walls also aided in heat retention. Like the large house to its south, the greenhouse bears the individual stamp of John Bartram's hand, most clearly indicated by pieces of carved frieze imbedded in the south wall as well as decorative joint work known as galleting.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N6
Survey number: HALS PA-1-B
Building/structure dates: 1760-1761 Initial Construction