THE WALLS OF CLIVEDEN sheltered British troops from American attack during the Battle of Germantown, as well as seven generations of Philadelphia’s Chew family in the years that followed.

Cliveden tells a story of America’s continuing struggle for freedom.

About Cliveden

Built as a country house for attorney Benjamin Chew, Cliveden was completed in 1767 and was home to seven generations of the Chew family. Cliveden has long been famous as the site of the American Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown in 1777, as well as for its Georgian architecture. New research is unearthing a more complicated history at Cliveden, which involves layers of significance, including the lives of those who were enslaved by and in service to the Chew family. This information broadens the meaning of Cliveden as a preserved historic place, exploring themes and stories of American identity and freedom.  Traces of the history of the Cliveden property and its occupants can be found throughout the five acre woody landscape. Traces of the history of the Cliveden property and its occupants can be found throughout the five-and-a-half-acre woody landscape. The grounds are open for the community to enjoy as a public park whenever the gates are open. The property includes four buildings, the Main House, Kitchen Dependency, Wash House and Carriage House.