Philadelphia Gallery: Buildings and Doors

Natalie

Continuing with my photos of Philadelphia. As I explored the city on foot, in addition to these sculptures and artworks, I enjoyed examining various architectural styles from the 19th century to the 21st century.

Here are a few of the pictures I took displaying historic and iconic buildings and doors. To view brief captions, please click on the photos. To learn more about the building history and its architectural features, please click on the building name (hypertext link).

Cathedral Basilica Saints Peter and Paul (built 1846-1864) and its interior
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (built 1871-1876) and its entrance. Founded in 1805, it’s the first and oldest art museum and art school in the United States.
Philadelphia City Hall (constructed 1871-1901) and its main entrance
The Masonic Temple (built 1868-73) and its lobby
The Wesley Building also known as the Rob Morris Hotel and its entrance. The original six-story section was built between 1914 and 1915, with an eight-story addition erected between 1921 and 1922.
The Rodin Museum (opened in 1929) and Rodin’s massive bronze The Gates of Hell
Pennsylvania Railroad Suburban Station (opened in 1930) and its front entrance
The Franklin Institute built in 1931. Founded in 1824, the Franklin Institute is one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States.
30th Street Station (opened in 1933) and the modern Cira Center (opened in 2005)
One and Two Liberty Place buildings were completed in 1987 and 1990 respectively. The iconic design and spire make them a recognizable part of Philadelphia skyline.

This post is my contribution to Dan’s #ThursdayDoors photo challenge.

I’d love for you to share your week’s highlights and/ or public art from around the world in the Comments or Weekend Coffee Share link-up #174 below.

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63 thoughts on “Philadelphia Gallery: Buildings and Doors”

  1. Dan Antion's avatar Dan Antion August 16, 2024 / 9:02 am

    Fabulous photos, Natalie. I’ve been in and out of 30th Street Station many times. I love the architecture in Philadelphia, and you captured some beauties. Thanks for sharing them with us.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 10:48 am

      Thank you, Dan. I like the clean and classic design of 30th Street Station. I didn’t go inside but I imagine it must be a busy station year round.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Dan Antion's avatar Dan Antion August 16, 2024 / 11:40 am

        Being only a couple hours fro New York City and Washington, D.C., it does draw a crowd.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
      • Discover and Explore's avatar Discover and Explore September 9, 2024 / 3:46 pm

        Wow, another beautiful compilation of pictures and words about Philadelphia! Good job:)

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  2. Dan Antion's avatar Dan Antion August 16, 2024 / 9:04 am

    I think I lost my comment when WordPress made me log in (again). I’ve been through 30th Street Station many times over the years. I love the architecture in Philadelphia, and you captured some beauties. Thanks for sharing them with us.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 10:49 am

      Thank you Dan for your patience. It’s frustrating when WordPress misbehaves. I got your two comments.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 10:55 am

      Teresa, Rodin’s Gates of Hell are incredible with many sculpted figures. Thank you for your PPAC contribution that takes me to South Yarra.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Anne Fraser @theplatinumline.blog's avatar Anne Fraser @theplatinumline.blog August 16, 2024 / 10:22 am

    I love the old buildings. I am glad that they are being preserved.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 10:57 am

      Me too, Anne. The old buildings have visually interesting designs.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Toonsarah's avatar Toonsarah August 16, 2024 / 10:34 am

    Some very handsome buildings here 🙂 I like the entrances too, especially City Hall and the Suburban Station

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 11:00 am

      Thank you Sarah. I take photos of the impressive Philadelphia City Hall every time I visit the city. I also like the Art Deco style of Suburban Station.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
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  7. Joanne's avatar Joanne August 16, 2024 / 1:37 pm

    I love the old buildings and all their architectural details. Thanks for sharing not only the building themselves but some close ups of special areas/details within each building.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 8:31 pm

      I’m pleased you like the old buildings and the close-up photos. I greatly enjoyed examining these buildings from different angles.

      Like

      Reply
  8. greendreamsswe's avatar Maria August 16, 2024 / 1:57 pm

    Really lovely architecture. The oldest buildings are my favourites. All those details are exquisite. Thank you for the tour.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 8:35 pm

      I think we both enjoy old architecture and photography 🙂 I’m pleased you like what I shared today.

      Like

      Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 8:34 pm

      You’re welcome! I enjoyed sharing historic buildings and public art that I discovered in Philadelphia.

      Like

      Reply
  10. dawnkinster's avatar dawnkinster August 16, 2024 / 4:09 pm

    I love doors. Sometimes windows too. I wonder what it is about doors that people find so facinating?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 8:40 pm

      I think we find doors fascinating not only from their physical appearance, their history but also what may be or what has happened behind those doors. Thank you Dawn for your comment.

      Like

      Reply
  11. Lydia C. Lee's avatar Lydia C. Lee August 16, 2024 / 5:34 pm

    What fantastic buildings! I love the older ornate ones….I guess cos that’s what’s limited here….

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 8:44 pm

      I’m pleased you like the old buildings that I shared. There are not many buildings from the 19th century that are still in good condition and meet today’s comfort and safety standards in North America. The older architectural styles are visually interesting.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Retirement Reflections's avatar Retirement Reflections August 16, 2024 / 6:26 pm

    Hi, Natalie – Thank you for taking us along to Philadelphia. I have never been before and I greatly enjoyed tagging along with you virtually!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 16, 2024 / 8:46 pm

      Hi Donna, Thank you for stopping by. I’m happy to share some of Philadelphia’s iconic buildings with you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Susan's avatar Susan August 16, 2024 / 10:02 pm

    Such elegant architecture! I’ve never been to Philadelphia. Clearly, I should visit.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 17, 2024 / 6:44 pm

      I think Philadelphia has a lot to offer to its visitors.

      Like

      Reply
  14. Jennifer Jones's avatar Jennifer Jones August 16, 2024 / 10:48 pm

    I always enjoy your Doors posts Natalie. For some reason I’m always drawn to doors especially in historic buildings. I love the Gates of Hell. Thanks for being our tour guide of Philadelphia.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 17, 2024 / 6:47 pm

      Jennifer, Thank you for your lovely comment. I’m pleased you like the buildings and doors in my post. When I walked by those historic doors, I thought about the history and people who entered the buildings.

      Like

      Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 17, 2024 / 6:48 pm

      Thank you Margaret for stopping by. I’m pleased you like my photos.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
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  18. Julie's avatar Julie August 17, 2024 / 4:38 am

    I’ve been to Philadelphia once. I love the history of the city. I would love to return to explore more in the future.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 17, 2024 / 6:53 pm

      Glad to hear you’d like to return to Philadelphia for more exploring. I think Philadelphia is underrated and the city has a lot to offer to its visitors.

      Like

      Reply
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  20. trentpmcd's avatar trentpmcd August 17, 2024 / 8:33 am

    Some cool architecture in Philadelphia and you didn’t even include the historic district around Independence Hall.

    Enjoy your weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 17, 2024 / 6:58 pm

      I wrote about Independence Hall and a number of sights east of Philadelphia City Hall last summer so I didn’t repeat them in this post. I hope you’re enjoying the weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • trentpmcd's avatar trentpmcd August 17, 2024 / 8:48 pm

        I wasn’t complaining that you didn’t include those buildings, just that, as you showed in this post, there is so much more interesting architecture in Philly 🙂 I did remember that you were there last year (my brother lives close to Philly, so it stands out), but I forgot exactly what you included in your post.
        The weekend is going well so far, thanks 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 18, 2024 / 8:02 pm

          Yes, Philly has many interesting buildings. There were some buildings that I passed by and would like to return for a closer look and read up on their history. Glad to hear the weekend is going well. Have a wonderful week ahead!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
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    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 17, 2024 / 7:02 pm

      Pam, Philadelphia City Hall is a beautiful building. The Franklin building had a fantastic Lego exhibition when I was there.

      Like

      Reply
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  25. csuhpat1's avatar csuhpat1 August 18, 2024 / 10:23 am

    Those are such amazing buildings. So, very beautiful. I love them all. Very nice. Thanks for sharing them. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 18, 2024 / 8:03 pm

      Thank you Patrick. I’m pleased you enjoyed my post.

      Like

      Reply
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  27. Ju-Lyn's avatar Ju-Lyn August 19, 2024 / 3:21 am

    Majestic architecture, Natalie! Stunning!

    Did you make it into the Rodin Museum? One of my favourite sculptors.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 21, 2024 / 9:07 pm

      Thank you, Ju-Lyn, for your comment. Yes, I did visit the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia and enjoyed the fabulous collection of Rodin’s sculptures. I also visited the Rodin Museum in Paris when I was there a while ago.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
        • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 22, 2024 / 10:10 am

          I love that both the Rodin Museums in Paris and Philly are not too big, just the right size to enjoy Rodin’s incredible sculptures.

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
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  29. Book Club Mom's avatar Book Club Mom August 25, 2024 / 8:05 pm

    Great to see some sights that are (somewhat) near me! Thanks for sharing your pictures, Natalie!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 25, 2024 / 8:52 pm

      You’re welcome, Barbara. I enjoyed examining and photographing these buildings and doors in Philly.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. Easin' Along's avatar Easin' Along August 26, 2024 / 6:06 pm

    Natalie,

    Thanks for sharing some of the incredible architecture of one of America’s great cities. I loved the pictures. Joe

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Natalie's avatar Natalie August 26, 2024 / 6:41 pm

      Joe, You’re welcome. I’m pleased you loved the pictures. I enjoyed visiting and photographing these buildings in Philly.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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