Pennsylvania Hall (Philadelphia)
| Pennsylvania Hall | |
|---|---|
An illustration of Pennsylvania Hall at its opening in 1838 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Destroyed by arson |
| Address | 109 N. 6th Street |
| Town or city | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | May 14, 1838 |
| Closed | May 17, 1838 |
| Cost | $40,000 (equivalent to $1,181,125 in 2024) |
| Owner | Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society |
| Height | 42 feet (13 m): 3 |
| Dimensions | |
| Other dimensions | 62 x 100 feet (19 x 30 m): 3 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 + basement |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Somerville Stewart |
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Pennsylvania Hall, "one of the most commodious and splendid buildings in the city," was an abolitionist venue in Philadelphia, built in 1837–38. It was a "Temple of Free Discussion," where antislavery, women's rights, and other reform lecturers could be heard. Four days after it opened it was destroyed by arson, the work of an anti-abolitionist mob.
This was only six months after the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy by a pro-slavery mob in Illinois, a free state. The abolitionist movement consequently became stronger. The process repeated itself with Pennsylvania Hall; the movement gained strength because of the outrage the burning caused. Abolitionists realized that in some places they would be met with violence. The country became more polarized.