Mount Pleasant open house

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting another open house at Mount Pleasant in Fairmount Park Philadelphia Sunday, April 26. I believe the event is free and parking will be available at the museum’s new parking garage where a shuttle bus will run between the museum and the park (along scenic boat house row).

This mansion’s impressive and intact woodwork, dating from the early 1760’s, is on display. The house really hasn’t been refurnished sinceÃ? it’s restoration a few years ago (new roof, some structure, fixed up dormers).Ã?  This has left the interior woodwork accessible.

Much of the tour’s focus will be on the house and the one armed Scotsman who originally owned it. A privateer who struck it nouveaux riche, Captain James Mac Pherson is the poster child for upward mobility in 18th century America. Mount Pleasant was the bling, the posse, the ride, and the trophy wife all rolled into one, fabulously expensive crib. Though he won’t get top billing, Thomas Nevell, Mount Pleasant’s builder,Ã? would be an equally interesting focus for the education and curatorial staff that will give the tours.Ã?  Nevell wasn’t just briefly apprenticed to Edmund Woolley, the builder responsible for Independence Hall. Woolley was Nevell’s guardian.Ã?  Nevell was orphaned at age 9.Ã? Ã?  The esthetic relationship between Independance Hall and Mt. Pleasant now makes more sense to me. Nevell probably had first hand experience with the construction of Pennsylvania’s famous State House.Ã? 

Mt. Pleasant is linked to a number of historical figures including Bendict Arnold and John Adams.Ã?  But Arts and Mysteries readers may be interested to learn that Benedict Arnold’s wife, Peggy Shippen, was the daughter of Sarah Plumley, Charles Plumley’s daughter.Ã?  Also interesting is the fact that Sarah’s father in law, Edward Shippen, the joiner that recorded the famous Plumley inventory, was also her step father.Ã?  Charles Plumley’s wife Rose Budd (what a great name) remarried after Charles’ passing in 1709.

For the would-be wood-historian, there’s still plenty more here.Ã?  Nevell’s original account book is in existance as is his copy of the Carpenter’s Company Rule Book of 1786 (which he provided drawings for).Ã?  The latter is available in the HABS.Ã?  (The former is only available on fiche as far as I know).Ã?  These importnat pieces of documentary evidence allow us to compare specific bits of Mt Pleasant with account data and hand written, price per foot annotations in Nevell’s copy of the Rule Book.

No?Ã?  Not compelling?Ã?  How about the often debated use of column orders in architecture?Ã?  Furniture?Ã?  The front and rear facades of Mt. Pleasant used two different column orders.Ã? Ã? Ã?  Nevell taught architecture in his later years and specifically offered in the “Pennsylavania Gazette” (Oct 31, 1771)Ã? “I propose to teach the drawing of five orders”.Ã?  On the second floor, a room that may have been a study, an Affleck highboy carved by Philadelphia Master Carver Martin Jugiez (said to be the ugliest man in Philadelphia) stands aside the carved mantle piece also carved by Jugiez.Ã?  The relationship between the classically proportioned and adorned mantle piece and the high boy are staggering.Ã? 

No?Ã?  Not relevant?Ã?  How about the sense that nothing ever really changes?Ã?  Read about Nevell (linked above) and pay special attention to his years in debtor’s prison. How about this gem: Nevell seemed to make more money teaching than he did working wood. Also, note his finanical condition upon his death. Thomas Chippendale didn’t end well either. I’ve read this often enough to think there’s a trend. Hand tool woodworkers tend to die broke.

Nothing? Wait there’s more:Ã?  Politically, I lean toward the libertarian/conservative side.Ã?  Currently, my camp is harping about big government, it’s ills, and our Founders’ intentions.Ã?  Pretty sure Nevell’s trade union took care of him in his old age.Ã?  If the Carpenter’s Company of Philadelphia had not intervened in his behalf, this Revolutionary War Veteran, a man who helped construct the building in which the Declaration of IndependanceÃ? and the U.S. Constitution were signed, may have died broke, alone, and homelessÃ? a few blocks away. What exactly were our Founding Father’s intentions? Maybe it’s high time we learned more about the world in which they lived.

But my side isn’t completely off base. Nevell went broke paying the taxes on a property his step son, George Weed (never trust a man named George Weed) inherited. Interestingly, the benefactor of Nevell’s retirement savings felt no obligations toward Nevell. Ã? 

They say those who forget the past are destined to relive it.Ã?  (I think that’s a strange thing to hear coming from someone wearing knee breeches and a puffy shirt.)Ã?  But interestingly, I think we tend to compartmentalize this sentiment to war fighting orÃ? federal fiscal policy.Ã?  I’m just trying toÃ? make better furniture.Ã?  A trip to Mount Pleasant offers you all of it.Ã? 

Oh, and I’m going to be there demonstrating something.Ã?  Hope to see you.Ã?  Bring the whole family! There’s lots to learn at Mount Pleasant.

Adam� � �