Project Focus: Historic Rittenhouse Town: Philadelphia, PA Historic Structures Reports, National Historic Landmark Nomination The National Historic Landmark Historic Rittenhouse Town is the birthplace of noted 18th century scientist and patriot David Rittenhouse. Located in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, this collection of buildings is considered one of the most important and well-preserved 18th century industrial sites in North America.  The properties which were the subject of Noble Preservation's study are two of the earliest surviving buildings built by German-speaking people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Noble Preservation's documentation and assessment is part of a continuing effort to preserve fabric and information about the site - an effort which began in the late 19th century by the Rittenhouse family and has evolved to include the City of Philadelphia and Historic Rittenhouse Town, Inc.  Our work was made possible by grants from the Getty Grant Program and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Our involvement with this unique group of buildings began with the completion of a National Historic Landmark Nomination for the Abraham Rittenhouse Home, an intact 1730s Continental House within an 1820s Classical Revival structure. Upon approval of the nomination , we also completed a National Historic Landmark Nomination for the entire district and HSRs for the 1707 Claus Rittenhouse Home and its adjacent early 18th century outbuilding. The findings of these reports have been used to interpret the significance of the site between 1690 and 1870 as well as to provide guidelines for ongoing restoration efforts.

Historical research completed as part of our study found a c.1900 photograph of the Rittenhouse Home. Contemporary view of the Rittenhouse Home. Original date stone from the 1707 Claus Rittenhouse Home.