Historic ‘Hail, Columbia’ house in Society Hill seeks $2.4M

An 18th-century home where the country’s original national anthem was written has hit the market for $2.4 million, wowing with its rich history and old-world charm.

The home at 338 Spruce Street was built in 1791 and was the home of Joseph Hopkinson—whose father signed the Declaration of Independence just a couple of blocks away at Independence Hall—and his wife Emily Mifflin Hopkinson. Within the home, Hopkinson went on to write the song “Hail, Columbia,” which was the United States of America’s original anthem before the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Today, the 4,100-square-foot, five-bedroom home is in immaculate condition despite its age. The previous owners began restoring the property 60 years ago, beginning with the brick facade. The current owners then worked with Christina Carter of John Milner Associates, and “a great group of craftsmen who ensured that original features were restored and not damaged in the process of installing new appliances and fixtures.”

“We couldn’t have done it without the right help,” the owners told Curbed Philly.

But while the home has been brought into the 21st century—the kitchen is large, bright, and modern while one of the three full bathrooms features a progammable toilet next to an original fireplace—much of the home’s original character remains. “The original curved staircase doesn’t have a single creaky stair, and the wide board floors are favorites,” according to the owners, “and a French fountain in the atrium from 1769 that we are in the process of restoring.”

There’s plenty of outdoor space, too, beyond the kitchen. A large backyard lined with brick walls and patio lined with flowering vines.

No doubt the future owners of this home will appreciate the TLC its previous owners have provided the property. The asking price is $2,400,000.

Correction: The original version of this story said the anthem was composed here, when in fact it was just written at this home. Curbed has fixed the error.

• 338 Spruce Street [Mary Genovese Colvin, Compass Pennsylvania, LLC]

Independence Hall

520 Chestnut Street, , PA 19106 Visit Website