Andalusia (estate)

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Andalusia
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Andalusia in 1976
Location:	1237 State Road, Andalusia, Pennsylvania
Nearest city:	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates:	40°3′43″N 74°57′30″W / 40.06194, -74.95833Coordinates: 40°3′43″N 74°57′30″W / 40.06194, -74.95833
Built/Founded:	1794
Architect:	Benjamin Latrobe, Thomas U. Walter
Architectural style(s):	Other, Colonial Revival, Greek Revival
Designated as NHL:	November 13, 1966^[1]
Added to NRHP:	November 13, 1966^[2]
NRHP Reference#:	66000649
Governing body:	Private

Andalusia, also known as Nicholas Biddle Estate, is a historic estate located on the Delaware River in Andalusia, which takes it name from the mansion, in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia.

The mansion was in 1794 by John Craig, who gave it the name Andalusia, after the region of the same name in Spain. The home was expanded in 1806 in a Greek Revival style by architect Benjamin Latrobe. In 1811, Craig's daughter Jane married prominent financier Nicholas Biddle, and the property has remained in the Biddle family ever since. Biddle, 1786-1844, was famous as the opponent to Andrew Jackson on banking policies.

The mansion was further expanded in the same Greek Revival style in 1834-36 by architect Thomas U. Walter, who is known mostly for his design for the dome of the United States Capitol. According to the National Park Service, "Andalusia is one of the earliest and most pristine examples of the Greek Revival style in the country."^[1]

The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966.^[1]^[3] Today it is operated as a house museum.

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c Andalusia. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-11-09.
^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
^ S. S. Bradford (October 31, 1973), National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: AndalusiaPDF (855 KiB), National Park Service and Accompanying 4 photos, exterior, from 1966 and undated.PDF (470 KiB)

[edit] External links

Official site: Andalusia House Museum
Material on the Andalusia mansion and its several outbuildings, at the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS):
- 38 b&w photos, 8 color images, 15 maps and measured drawings, and 8 data pages on the mansion.
- 4 photos, 2 measured drawings and 4 data pages on the cottage.
- 2 photos, 1 drawing, 3 data pages on the Billiard Room (house).
- 2 photos, 2 drawings, and 3 data pages on the Grotto.
- 1 drawing and 3 data pages on the Graperies.
Listing at Philadelphia Architects and Buildings

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