Women for Greater Philadelphia (WFGP) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Casabuena Cultural Productions to develop and produce Voices of Laurel Hill Mansion, an original work that explores the rich cultural and historical legacy of this landmark site. The production invites audiences to meet five residents of the mansion and hear their stories firsthand, offering a unique and intimate perspective on the people who shaped its history. This collaboration brings together creative vision and community engagement to present a compelling narrative experience that highlights untold stories and diverse perspectives tied to Laurel Hill Mansion.
Few historic houses embody the conflicts and contradictions of the American Revolution like Laurel Hill Mansion, built in 1767 in East Fairmount Park by Rebecca Warner Rawle Shoemaker as a summer retreat. In this historically engaging performance, the former residents of the mansion come to life, sharing their stories from their own perspectives.
Audiences will meet:
- Rebecca Warner Rawle Shoemaker — the original mistress of Laurel Hill Mansion
- Samuel Shoemaker — Rebecca’s second husband, a Loyalist Quaker aristocrat, and former mayor of colonial Philadelphia
- Esther de Berdt Reed — British-born wife of Joseph Reed, president of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Le Chevalier Anne-César de La Luzerne — the nearly forgotten second French Ambassador to the fledgling United States
- William Rawle — Rebecca’s son from her first marriage and founder of the oldest existing law firm in America
These historic figures will entertain, educate, and engage audiences as they share their perspectives on the formative years of the United States. Suitable for all audiences, Voices of Laurel Hill Mansion is part of WFGP’s planned events celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial (250th) Anniversary. This historically engaging, educational production is made possible through the partnership between Women for Greater Philadelphia and Casabuena Cultural Productions, offering a fresh and compelling way to experience local history. Join us for a journey back in time as the past comes alive through the voices of those who lived it.
Seating is limited, so early ticket purchase is recommended. Please note that Laurel Hill Mansion is not wheelchair accessible.