Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia is a Walk through History

Often considered to be the nation's oldest intact colonial-era residential street and one of the oldest continually occupied streets in the United States, Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia is a charming, narrow cobblestone thoroughfare that boasts row homes that were built between the early 18th and early 19th centuries. First established in 1702, the street is close to the city's prime historic district and many visitors include it on their tour itinerary of the city. It is also just steps from Betsy Ross's house.

The street was formed when two local blacksmiths, John Gilbert and Arthur Wells, gave a portion of their land to create an alleyway that connected the Delaware River to their blacksmithing operations. The street later became a popular place for artisans and craftsmen to reside and most of those individuals both lived and worked in their Elfreth's Alley homes. The street was well known for its diverse population and during the Industrial Revolution it became a favored avenue for immigrants who had arrived in America to work at the many new factories in the city.

But by the 20th century, the street was quite run down and slated for bulldozing in order to make room for new and faster highways. However, by the 1930s, an association of concerned citizens was formed and they would ultimately save the historic street from demolition. Now a National Historic Landmark District, Elfreth's Alley currently consists of 32 beautifully refurbished homes, most privately owned.

Visitors are welcome to tour Elfreth's Alley at any time, but because the homes are indeed owned by private parties, only the exteriors can be enjoyed by those touring the area. However, the lovingly-restored homes are very attractive and redone according to the colonial architecture of the era in which they were built, making for excellent photo opportunities. Home owners are accustomed to tourist snapping pictures and most are not opposed to the practice.

One home, however, has been converted to a museum and visitors can indeed go inside and browse. This home is located at Number 126 and is dubbed the Elfreth's Alley Museum. It was once owned by the alley's namesake, Jeremiah Elfreth, also a blacksmith. Inside the museum, visitors can enjoy either a self-guided or guided tour of the home and all its 18th century furnishings. Also at the museum, visitors can pick up brochures that provide information about the other homes on the block, their history, and the stories of the people who once lived in them. Since Elfreth's Alley was formed in 1702, an estimated 3,000 have lived on the street and their stories are fascinating.

It's not unusual to see a Benjamin Franklin impersonator strolling down Elfreth's Alley, interacting with tourists and posing for photos. In addition, the Elfreth's Alley Association and the residents of the street occasionally host special events such as monthly First Friday programs, which highlight 300 years of arts and crafts and include architectural walks and historic tours. Visitors can also catch an occasional concert or other musical event in the alley.