Free Quaker Meeting House
SITE OVERVIEW
The Free Quakers were a small group of Quakers who split from the main Quaker organization because they felt that fighting for defensive purposes in the American Revolution was the proper thing to do (Quakers are traditionally pacifists). After the war, having been permanently disowned by mainstream Quaker society, the Free Quakers built their own meeting house—the Quaker equivalent of a church—on 5th Street in Philadelphia. The organization remained active until the mid-1830s. By this time membership had dwindled due to death and the gradual mending with the Quakers. The last time the Free Quakers met at the house was in 1836.
LOCATION
The Free Quaker Meeting House at Independence National Historical Park is located on the corner of 5th and Arch streets.
OPERATING HOURS
- Mid-June through Labor Day
- Daily from 11 AM to 4 PM
- All other times of the year
- Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM
Times can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for Independence National Historical Park.
Interior of the Free Quaker Meeting House
TICKETS AND FEES
There are no tickets or fees associated with entry into the Free Quaker Meeting House.
WHAT TO DO
At most times, a visit to the Free Quaker Meeting House at Independence National Historical Park involves nothing more than walking in, taking a quick look around, and leaving. Keeping with the Quaker tradition of humbleness, the house is conservatively furnished. There are two information panels on display that tell about the building’s history.
Interior of the Free Quaker Meeting House
However, at certain times, which are published on a sign outside the front door, costumed actors—the National Park Service calls them interpreters—are on duty. These people pretend to be Free Quakers and talk and act as if it were the 1770s. The man on duty when I visited was very knowledgeable about Free Quakers and the American Revolution, and I learned a lot from him.
A Free Quaker on duty at the Free Quaker Meeting House
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
You can’t spend much more than ten minutes at the Free Quaker Meeting House if no costumed interpreters are on duty. There was a Quaker at the house when I visited, and I spent a half hour talking with him.
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Last updated on May 15, 2020
