Miss Mary Potts

Associated with architect Edwin W. Thorne

535 W. Hortter Street, Germantown [Philadelphia], PA

1890 | Residence | Extant

“Parker…has made plans for a house, for Miss Mary [Potts], 40x40 feet, to be stone, shingle roof, electric bells, and all modern improvements, to be built at Germantown.” (April 16, 1890)

“E.W. Thorne, 1307 Arch street, sends the following: Have plans fully adopted by Mrs. and Mr. E.Y. Taylor, of Germantown, Pa. for a stone house, worth six thousand dollars, hard and soft-wood finish, modern conveniences; also, plans for a stone dwelling of similar value, but different design, adopted by Miss Mary Potts, of No. 4 Upsal terrace, Germantown, fitted, etc., in a similar manner to Taylor's house.” (April 23, 1890)

“Two houses in Germantown, however, are Mrs. Nichols’ especial pride, because in these instances, the architectural talent has been reinforced by maternal instinct. This union has resulted in a dozen dainty devices—clothes, china, and laundry closets, dumb elevators everywhere, and, think of it! a bath room for the baby, with every convenience for the infant’s and mother’s comfort.” (Frank Leslie’s Popular Monthly, June 1900)

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Mary Potts’ house in Germantown is located at 535 W. Hortter Street, next door to the house at 533 W. Hortter Street that Minerva designed for Mary’s sister Harriet and Harriet’s husband, Edward Y. Taylor.

There is a somewhat perplexing overlap between Minerva’s published commission for the Taylors, and a similar commission that E.W. Thorne advertised around the same time. Minerva apprenticed with Thorne, but the two split (seemingly amicably) c. 1888, two years before this project.

After Minerva’s involvement, alterations were completed in 1915 (this may have been when the turret was removed); H.W. Sellers oversaw those renovations.