The first owner of Sweetbrier was Samuel Breck, who records in his notes
that he built his mansion in 1797, having “out-buildings of every kind
suitable for elegance and comfort. The prospect consists of the river,
animated by its great trade carried on in boats of about thirty tons,
drawn by horses; of a beautiful sloping lawn, terminating at that river,
now nearly four hundred yards wide opposite the portico; of side-screen
woods; of gardens, green-house, etc.—Sweetbrier is the name of my
villa.”
The restoration was undertaken in 1918 by the Junior League of
Philadelphia, with the advice of the Museum, and the house now serves as
the headquarters for the Junior League.
On entering, the visitor will be impressed with the simplicity of the
architecture and the delicacy of the ornament. Of a later date than that
of Mount Pleasant, the style is more classic, varied by the relief
ornament of the mantels and the number of large graceful windows. The
large reception room contains four beautifully carved Heppelwhite side
chairs, a pair of mahogany card tables and a sofa of the same style.
Wedgwood vases, gilt torchères and a large Oriental rug represent
imported objects which the room might have exhibited in its original
state. A rare acquisition, a complete set of William Birch’s views of
Philadelphia, hang upon these walls and on the stair landing. At the
right of the fireplace stands a painted armchair with needlepoint back
and seat, and nearby is a tripod candlestand. These pieces formed a part
of the original furnishings of Sweetbrier, and have been lent by the
descendants of Samuel Breck. In a vitrine near the west door, a
miniature on ivory shows the youthful Samuel Breck.
[Illustration: CEDAR GROVE, 1721-1795 Shown on map as No. 2]