Support provided by:
The Case:
Hearts and arrows blaze across an unusual set of china at the Powel House in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, called "The Athens of America," was in the 1770s the most important city in the colonies.
And when in Philadelphia, Powel House was the place to be.
Elizabeth and Samuel Powel lived there, and the likes of Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin socialized there.
Family legend claims the Marquis de Lafayette, the French general who helped free the American colonies, gave the set to Elizabeth Willing, the popular wife of the Patriot Mayor.
The History Detectives look into the facts and fiction behind this racy 18th century gift.
Season 1, Episode 10
Detective:
Elyse Luray
Detective:
Gwen Wright
Location:Powel House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Related Content
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Rebel Whiskey Flask
Is this flask a relic from the historic "Whiskey Rebellion" of 1794?
-
Also with Gwen Wright
Japanese House
How did a Japanese house come to be at the San Francisco World's Fair just months before WWII began?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Broadway Ballet Shoes
Did this dancer's great-great-grandfather teach Salvatore Capezio to make ballet shoes?
-
Related Investigation
Jefferson Pledge
Did the transformation of the nation's public education system begin with this $200 pledge?
-
Also in this episode
Flint Lock Rifle
Was this the gun of one of the most infamous bandits operating to undermine the birth of our nation?
-
Also with Gwen Wright
Harlem Heirs
How is this ornate document connected to the earliest settlers of New York City and a potential multi-million dollar land dispute?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have a Revolution: 1754-1820 object? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentIt turns out that this collage was sold last fall: http://www.worthpoint.com/wort... I wonder if it would be possible to contact the buyer by way of the auction house about getting a print made. (2 weeks ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (8 months ago)
- FacebookCongrats on your exhibit, TZ! Here's a Washington Post article about the exhibit, everyone, and the great story TZ and Elyse did on his "Our Colored Heroes" story. http://tinyurl.com/mzpuyo8 http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/our-colored-heroes/ (2 weeks ago)