The Spirits of the Powel House

Posted: 02.19.2025 | Updated: 02.19.2025

Powel House has been described as the most haunted house in Philadelphia. Located at 224 South 3rd Street in Philly’s historic Society Hill neighborhood, Powel House hosted the likes of George Washington, John Adams, and the Marquis de Lafayette. The Powels were known for throwing lavish soirees, and some believe that certain guests have chosen to stick around long after the party ended.

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Is The Powel House Haunted?

The Powel House is largely known for being a historic landmark and museum and only recently received attention for its hauntings. However, it seems that the ghost stories surrounding the home go back many years. 

Staff have seen the ghost of a colonial woman still dancing in the home’s grand ballroom. Others have witnessed soldiers from the Continental Army marching down the stairs. Visitors to Powel House often remark that they sense a presence in the home and that the caretakers are not alone.

All in all, this house is a historic site, a prime example of Georgian architecture, and thoroughly haunted.

History of Powel House

Powel House was originally built in 1765 for merchant and shipmaster Charles Stedman. However, Stedman found himself in deep debt and sold the home to Samuel and Elizabeth Powel in 1769. 

The Powels hired architects and craftsmen to turn the simple Georgian row house into one of the finest homes in Philadelphia. They installed Rococo plaster ceilings, intricate woodwork, and expensive furniture in the home.

The Powels were also known for their parties. John Adams wrote this about dining at Powel House:  “…a most sinful feast again! Everything which could delight the eye or allure the taste….” 

The Powels hosted the likes of the Marquis de Lafayette, Benedict Arnold, and George Washington. Samuel Powel would go from being the last British mayor of Philadelphia to the first United States mayor of the city, earning him the nickname “The Patriot Mayor.”

The home changed owners multiple times over the next century. In 1918, the owners of the house began selling portions of the interior to museums. In fact, one room from Powel House is still on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

By 1930, the house was slated to be torn down and replaced with a parking lot. Fortunately, it was saved by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks. The society hired architects and craftsmen to painstakingly restore the home, including the portions that had been torn out. Since then, it’s operated as a museum that’s open to the public. 

Powel House Hauntings

Upon entering Powel House, visitors have told its caretaker Jennifer Davidson, “You know you’re not alone here.” Davidson agrees that the house is haunted and has felt cold spots for no reason. 

When working in the basement, Davidson’s husband heard footsteps on the floor above him. This wouldn’t be unusual except he knew Davidson was in a different part of the house and no one else was around.

Witnesses have seen ghostly soldiers of the Continental Army walking up the steps to the home. Rather than knocking on the front door or opening it, the ghosts simply walk right through it. These soldiers have also been spotted on the grand staircase, and are typically in formal attire they would have worn to one of the Powel’s parties.

A key Revolutionary War figure is also known to haunt Powel House. The Marquis de Lafayette was a French nobleman who volunteered with the Continental Army and later participated in the French Revolution. The Marquis de Lafayette attended many parties at the house and continues to enjoy it.

Peggy Shippen Arnold

The ghost of Peggy Shippen Arnold is the most often seen spirit at Powel House. Peggy was the wife of the notorious Benedict Arnold, a major general in the Continental Army who secretly shared information with the British. 

Arnold was court-martialed in 1779 and reprimanded by George Washington. A year later, he shared the plans for the West Point military base with the British. Having committed treason, Arnold’s reputation was ruined, as was his wife’s.

Peggy was good friends with Elizabeth Powel and reportedly loved attending the lavish parties at Powel House. As a result, her spirit doesn’t seem too keen on leaving, which makes sense considering how she and her husband were shunned by society.

Peggy’s spirit is always seen wearing an elegant lavender and beige ball gown. She generally stays in the drawing room off of the ballroom. Peggy typically appears as if she’s still at a party and makes her way around the room as though she’s talking to other guests. 

Sometimes, she will be tapping her foot like she’s keeping time to music that no one else can hear. Other times, she will be on a sofa waving a fan in front of her face. Once spotted, Peggy will smile before dissolving into thin air.

One story about Peggy suggests that she is an intelligent haunting, rather than a residual haunting reenacting past events. During a tour of Powel House, a male guest broke off from the group to use the restroom. 

Before the man could leave, all the lights went out in the bathroom. Disoriented and unable to see anything, the man suddenly felt a cold hand wrap around his. This unseen entity guided him to the door and appeared as Peggy Shippen Arnold in the light before disappearing. 

Haunted Philadelphia

It’s been over 250 years since the first ball was thrown at Powel House, but the guests are still enjoying the party. Whether it’s the Marquis de Lafayette or Peggy Shippen Arnold, there’s no telling who will show up during a visit to Powel House.

Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States, and amidst its storied past are some truly terrifying ghost stories. Hear about them on your next visit to Philly by booking a ghost tour with Philly Ghosts! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Pennsylvania hauntings.

Sources:

• https://www.philalandmarks.org/powel-house-events
• https://www.philalandmarks.org/powel-house
• https://hauntedhouses.com/pennsylvania/powel-house/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/historically-haunted-philadelphia-house/
• https://hauntedus.com/pennsylvania/powel-house/