Elfreth’s Alley Museum

The mission of the Elfreth’s Alley Association is to preserve and protect the Elfreth’s Alley historic district, while interpreting the contributions of everyday Philadelphians to our American story. The Elfreth’s Alley Museum interprets the lives of people who lived and/or worked on this historic street over three centuries. Located in two homes along Elfreth’s Alley, the museum introduces visitors to residents of house #126: two single women dressmakers making ends meet in the 1760s, German-American shoemakers raising a family and building wealth in the 1850s, and more. The museum is also a place to explore the stories of other houses on the street which are still residences today.

Museum

Venue Map

Events of the Venue

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Free Museum Days: Elfreth’s Alley Museum

Free Museum Days

June 21, 2026

12:00 pm

Elfreth's Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the United States. Located in Old City, Philadelphia, Elfreth's Alley dates back to 1703 and is an exceptional collection of early American structures built between 1720 and 1836. Most of the homes are privately owned residences, but #124 and #126 are the Elfreth's Alley Museum, run by the Elfreth's Alley Association. The Association was founded in 1934 to preserve and protect the Alley and tell the story of its inhabitants, who were primarily artisans and working-class laborers. The Alley receives over 300,000 annual visitors from all over the world.