John Coltrane House
The John Coltrane House is a historic house at 1511 North 33rd Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. A National Historic Landmark, it was the home of American saxophonist and jazz pioneer John Coltrane from 1952 until 1958.[2] On his death in 1967 the house passed to his cousin, who sold it in 2004. Efforts for restoration and reuse as a jazz venue are struggling.[3][4] In 2022, two of Coltrane's sons filed a lawsuit contesting the ownership of the home.[5]
John Coltrane House | |
 | |
    | |
| Location | 1511 North 33rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°58′49.15″N 75°11′20.9″W |
| Architect | E. Allen Wilson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000628 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 20, 1999[1] |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1999[2] |
| Designated PRHP | December 18, 1985 |
Use by Coltrane
John Coltrane purchased the house for his family after leaving the U.S.Navy and lived there until he relocated to New York City in 1958.[6] He continued to use the house as an alternate residence to his New York home until the end of his life. Upon his death the house passed to Coltrane's cousin, Mary Alexander.[7]
Architecture
In addition to its association with John Coltrane, the house has received attention due to its historic architecture. For example, it is considered a good example of a middle-class Philadelphia rowhouse from the turn of the 20th century.[7] The architect is disputed; E. Allen Wilson is considered likely, due to his association with developer Clifford Pemberton,[8] but no known source specifically ties him to the Coltrane House.[7]
Preservation and reuse efforts
John W. Coltrane Cultural Society
The house's use as a residence by Coltrane's relatives prevented it from being made open to the public, and by 2003 the house was suffering from several structural and aesthetic problems.[2] In 1984 Mary Alexander co-founded the "John W. Coltrane Cultural Society" (JWCCS) to promote jazz and the legacy of John Coltrane. The Society established a John W. Coltrane Center adjacent to the John Coltrane House circa 1998, when Alexander was still living in the house.[9][10][11]
The JWCCS offered children's workshops led by professional jazz artists throughout the Philadelphia School District, Philadelphia Housing Authority and other youth groups. An annual Summer Backyard Concert Series was held in the backyard of the Coltrane House and an annual Birthday Tribute/Celebration Concert at a large venue. A community garden on 33rd Street included a jazz mural created by neighborhood youth. A mural was also created by students of Strawberry Mansion High School, in the school. "Cousin Mary," who was raised with Coltrane in High Point North Carolina, also conducted a lecture series on his life and music.
Historic designation
Due to its association with John Coltrane, the house has attracted several official designations as a historic building, most prominently as a National Historic Landmark. It was placed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places on December 18, 1985.[12] It was later declared a National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1999, and concurrently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.[8] Additionally, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission dedicated a marker honoring John Coltrane in front of the house on July 17, 1990.[13]
See also
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- "John Coltrane House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2008.
- Russ, Valerie (March 15, 2013). "Cultivating ideas for John Coltrane's old Strawberry Mansion house". Daily News. Philadelphia: Interstate General Media. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- Haas, Kimberly (February 28, 2020). ""Hope and Despair Surround Philly's African-American Landmarks,"". Hidden City. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- Russ, Valerie (August 16, 2022). ""John Coltrane's sons file suit to claim ownership of Philly Coltrane house"". Philadelphia Inquirer. The Philadelphia Foundation. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- Fitzgerald, Sharon (June 1, 1999). "A Giant Step". American Visions.
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-6670, "John Coltrane House", 1 photo, 15 data pages, 1 photo caption page
- Michael J. Lewis (July 5, 1998). "National Historic Landmark: John Coltrane House" (pdf). National Park Service.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - Milloy, Courtland (June 4, 1991). "Remembering a Favorite Musical Son". Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- Lane, Lynda (July 28, 1995). "THE JOHN W. COLTRANE SOCIETY celebrates 10 years of living the legacy". Philadelphia Tribune. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- Roberts, Kimberly (February 11, 2003). "Coltrane Cultural Society preserving a musical legacy". Philadelphia Tribune. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- Coltrane Residence data from the Philadelphia Architects and Buildings (PAB) project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia
- "John W. Coltrane (1926-1967)". PHMC Historical Markers. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
External links
