Chamounix | |
Location | West Fairmount Park on Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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Coordinates | 40°0′13.6″N 75°11′46.6″W / 40.003778°N 75.196278°W |
Area | Less than one acre |
Built | 1802[2] |
Architectural style | Federal[2] |
NRHP reference No. | 72001146[1] |
Added to NRHP | April 26, 1972 |
Chamounix is a historic home located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Federal-style house was built in 1802 by George Plumsted who was a wealthy Philadelphia merchant, then enlarged to nearly double its original size by subsequent owners after 1853.[2] Chamounix is a 2½-story stuccoed stone dwelling measuring 45 feet (14 m) long and 47 feet (14 m) deep, featuring a hipped roof with dormers and a porch on three sides with decorative iron supports. The house served as a country retreat until it was appropriated by the state via eminent domain in 1869 to become a part of Fairmount Park, from which time it was used in various ways including as a boarding house, a restaurant, and a refreshment stand. After years of neglect and then fire damage, the Fairmount Park Commission decided to demolish Chamounix; however, a committee of the former American Youth Hostels (AYH, now HI USA) successfully petitioned to save it and, since 1964, it has served as an international youth hostel.[3]
Chamounix was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[1]