2nd and Pine Streets
(215)790-0782
Head House Square is actually a
marketplace of sorts which extends from Pine Street to Lombard
Street in Philadelphia’s Historic District. Its main
attraction is the Colonial atmosphere, which serves as a
memorial of how people used to shop in the old days. Established
for the first time in 1745 under the name New Market, the area
is used in modern times as a place for various vendors to pitch
their wares to passersby.
On the outskirts of the market is Head
House, a large building with a weathervane on top. This is where
the Market Master used to live and work; his job was to test the
overall quality of the goods being bartered to make sure they
were on the up and up. These days, conditions are somewhat more
lenient, and anything goes. During the summer and early fall,
look for craftsmen and women to be in the majority, as the
square has built quite a reputation for having the best homemade
items around. The area gets very busy and the commerce lasts
well past dark, even as late as midnight on certain
weekends.
Also, keep on the lookout for the free
children’s workshops each Sunday from 1:00-3:00pm; they will
instruct your child on how to make certain crafts and keep them
thoroughly entertained while you go about your business. This
area is strongly recommended for those into antiquing and
visiting flea markets, and it’s also interesting to pass
through just for the historic atmosphere.
