The colonial revival at Cliveden
Date
1991
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The colonial revival of the nineteenth century was embraced by many Americans who desired a stronger sense of tradition and family roots. The Chew family, owners of Cliveden, participated in this movement by developing an interpretation of their past based on the historical significance of their family home. ☐ Throughout the eighteenth century, Cliveden was considered one of Philadelphia’s most elegant country houses. Today it is still highly regarded as an example of colonial Georgian architecture. During the mid-nineteenth century, however, the house went through a period of decline. Long after its architecture and eighteenth-century furnishings had passed from fashion, the house regained some of its former social status through the efforts of Samuel and Mary Chew. Their preservation of the house and their collection of family-related objects and furnishings reveal the Chew’s changing financial circumstances, family dynamics, and different interpretations and uses of the past. ☐ Samuel and Mary Chew benefitted from the revival of Cliveden in different ways. Samuel drew on his colonial past to strengthen his own legitimacy as a member of the Philadelphia elite. Mary’s involvement with the restoration of Cliveden brought her into contact with a larger community both during and after the Philadelphia Centennial. For a time, she played a powerful role as an amateur historic preservationist and promoter of history. From a common origin at Cliveden, the Chews' approaches to preservationism diverged as the colonial revival movement matured and attracted a variety of adherents who held opposing views. ☐ The ideas and feelings embodied in the early phase of the colonial revival, are exemplified in this case history of Cliveden’s preservation. Understanding Cliveden's revival can provide valuable insights into choices still being made about the presentation and preservation of the past.