Independence National Historical Park

Deshler Morris House (The Germantown White House)

This building is the oldest presidential residence in existence in the United States. A refuge to President Washington during the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, the Deshler Morris House later served as a country retreat for the First Family in 1794. The President’s cabinet also met here in Germantown, then a few hours ride from Philadelphia. Today, visitors to the beautifully restored Germantown White House are offered a glimpse into the private world of this very public man.

President George Washington at Germantown

The new United States faced many political crises, but none so great as a natural disaster from which no one was safe. In the summer of 1793, Yellow Fever was first diagnosed in Philadelphia. Germantown, a prosperous community only a few miles from the city, became the retreat for many wealthy Philadelphians who fled the epidemic in panic. Between August and October, almost 5,000 people died, approximately 10% of Philadelphia’s population!

Most of the federal government was in recess when the epidemic began. President Washington left for a brief visit to Mt. Vernon, his home in Virginia, and was scheduled to return to the capital city of Philadelphia. But with the epidemic raging and the responsibilities of his office to consider, Washington sought a temporary residence near the city to perform his Presidential duties in safety. Attorney General Edmund Randolph elected the home of Isaac Franks as the President’s temporary residence. The President resided in the house from November 16 to 30, 1793, and presided over meetings with his divided cabinet: Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph.

Washington was pleased here and found it "…commodious for myself and the entertainment of company."

The First Family in Germantown

Washington returned to this house in the summer of 1794 with his wife Martha and their adopted grandchildren, Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis. The summer break brought a welcome respite from the pressures of public life. Young Washington, as he was called, attended the Germantown Union School, a short walk from the house. Eleanor "Nelly", was tutored at home. Martha raised flowers, the President posed for painter Gilbert Stuart and the family attended the Germantown Reformed Church across the square from their house.

The Battle of Germantown

Ironically, the house that Washington used as President of the United States had been occupied by his British adversary, Sir William Howe. During the American Revolution, Philadelphia was captured by British troops in September 1777, and the Continental Army withdrew to the northwest. In early October, a pursuing force of British reached Germantown. Howe used the Deshler-Morris House as headquarters while repulsing a determined but unsuccessful attack launched by General Washington.

Why is it called the Deshler Morris House?

The Deshler Morris House gets its name from the first and last owners. David Deshler constructed a small summer house here n 1752. Twenty years later, he built a three story, nine room addition to the front of the house. Isaac Franks, a former Colonel in the Continental Army, purchased the house after Deshler died in 1792, then rented it to Washington. Franks later sold the house to the Morris family who purchased it and retained ownership until Elliston P. Morris donated it to the US National Parks in 1948. It is park of Independence National Historic Park.