Name/Title
Upsala InterpretationEntry/Object ID
2017.21.45Scope and Content
Upsala Interpretation:
Three pamphlets printed by The Upsala Foundation, the Trustees and the Women's Committee for Upsala. A brief history of the Upsala Mansion, why it is important to preserve and information on the restoration project began by George Clarence Johnson and supported by the Women's Comittee circa 1945.
Room by room descriptions on typed paper slices and 3x5 cards.
Dining Room: Notes the hand printed wall paper, late 18th century mirror, Richardson Silver , the two bald cypress trees, rare for this area.
Library: The exceptional woodwork, seven different kinds from the Johnson land on walls, the furniture from the 19th century.
Front Hall: How house got its name from a Miss Bremer's hometown Upsala Sweden, that Americans stood here and shelled British in 1777, the fine plaster cornices constructed by an Italian workman
Back Hall: A fine staircase of beautiful woodwork, ballisters which are very thin and a back door to be opened in warm weather for a draft.
Sitting Room (the Elliott Room):The family sitting with fireplace fueled by canal coal, a Clementi piano from about 1820, a sheridan gilt mirror,Chinese chipendale chair, old amall neck white Korean vases.
Drawing Room: Fine plaster cornice, beautiful wooden mantlepiece with carving and gouge work, Pennsylvania marble around fireplace, Chipendale high boy and chair.
Dining Room (Right Rear):Wallpaper from printing blocks from tour around Europe and Africa, Hepplewite dining table (circa 1789), Fitzhugh china.
Library/Living Room (Right Front):" Brick dust" color of walls,wood grained from 7 different kinds, first room of house to be restored, a Quaker marriage certificate of Joseph Johnson and Elizabeth Norton.
Connelly room: Two Connelly bureaus, chairs wash stand and shaving stand, Connelly bed, commode chair, Chippendale mirror.
Master Bed Room: Sheraton bed, regency chairs, cradle, one children's bed, Johnson bowl and pitcher.
Three write-ups (circa 1982) giving contents of many of the rooms in Upsala mansion; clocks , chairs, marble facings,furniture, and other unique items of early America.
History of Food sheet.
Two fifteen page histories of Upsala starting with its building by John Johnson, 3rd in 1790's, discusses its role in 1777 Battle of Germantown, the 1942 fire which almost destroyed it, the restoration work that has saved it, and a room by room description of historic and unique items that are in each.
"Upsala": a hand-written brief history of the mansion and listing of the restoration work that has been done from the fire in 1943 up until about 1950.
"A Few Facts About Upsala, 6430 Germantown Avenue, Phila..": Provides history of Upsala and role of the Johnson family as owners. Continues on with restoration work following the 1943 fire until 1954.
"Welcome to Upsala": Discusses early history of mansion and then continues on room by room description of restoration and items that were in each.
"Guide Manual: Architecture: The Shapes and Styles of the Past":Program prepared for tours of students to familiarize them with architectural details of Upsala and Maxwell mansions.
"Architecture: To Live In and Look On". Prepared by Historic Germantown Preserved, Inc. for 3rd to 6th grade students to familiarize them with different architectural styles, to view domestic architecture as product of aesthetic and technical processes and have them understand that tastes changing over time are reflected in domestic architecture. Included is exercise program and a treasure hunt
Printed Flyer "Upsala" announcing tour times.Collection
Upsala