The Hannah Callowhill Stage: Privy Artifacts & Delaware Waterfront History

On this HC Field Trip, we visit Northern Liberties’ 103 Callowhill Street, the mid-18th Century home of today’s Hannah Callowhill Stage. Renovation of the theater is still in progress, but we step inside with property-owners-turned-amateur-archaeologists Matt and Melissa Dunphy.

They’ll showcase 18th Century artifacts unearthed from the lot’s privy pits—pottery and glass pieces, plus Colonoware, which were vessels made by Black potters for enslaved African Americans.

Walking through the 100-foot-deep extension of the building, the Dunphys will talk about the evolution of the space as a proxy for 250 years of change in the neighborhood. Then we’ll get out there and traverse the surrounding area, discussing early activity along the original shores of the Delaware River and the Cohoquinoque Creek, 19th century industrial explosions, the Wood Street steps, Deitz & Watson, and the effect of the Ben Franklin Bridge on the waterfront.

Meet at 103 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Tour ends at the same location.

HC Field Trips are free to Hidden City members with use of the provided discount code. Become a member at hiddencityphila.org/support.

Questions, concerns, conundrums? Contact Hidden City project coordinator Alyssa Shea at [email protected].

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