Three storey Federal and Georgian brick rowhouses with white marble steps, and the churchyard National Treasure used for its chase scene.
What Society Hill looks like
Brick rowhouses are two to four storeys along Delancey, Spruce and Pine Streets, red brick with white trim and marble steps up to most front doors. The roadways are granite block with brick sidewalks, lit by reproduction Franklin style street lamps. Small walled gardens sit behind some of the houses, closed off by brick walls and iron gates.
On between Second and Third, a run of Federal houses includes the Cassey House at number 243, arched brick doorways under a shared cornice line and black window shutters. Farther along the same block, a pair of houses at 201 and 213 add a marble stoop and a wrought iron balcony over a garden gate, with dormered gables above the roofline.
stands behind its own iron fenced yard on Pine Street, a Greek Revival front with six fluted white columns under a triangular pediment. On Spruce Street, the is a two storey red brick building from 1759, white shuttered windows and a small wood balcony over its side door.
At Second and Pine, the is a two storey brick market building with a white cupola and a covered brick arcade running through its ground floor, garage doors on either side. Three 31 storey towers designed by I. M. Pei rise nearby, glass and pale concrete standing over the same brick rowhouses at their base.
Shot in Society Hill
National Treasure sends Ben Gates running through Society Hill, from the graveyard behind Old Pine Street Church to the market shed at Headhouse Square. Both stand today as they appear on screen, a few blocks apart.
National Treasure
The chase runs from the churchyard at Fourth and Pine to the market shed at Second and Pine, both still standing as they appear on screen.
National Treasure, 2004
The churchyard chase
Ben Gates is shot at running through the churchyard behind Old Pine Street Church, past its eighteenth century grave markers. The chase plays out among the same headstones and the brick perimeter wall shown here. Street View
National Treasure, 2004
Head House Market
The same chase continues through Headhouse Market, the market shed at Second and Pine. Its covered brick arcade and cupola are unchanged, and the shed still holds a market on Sundays. Street View
What Society Hill can double for
Georgetown in Washington, D.C.
Georgetown's Federal rowhouses are red brick with white trim and marble front steps, the same combination restored on Society Hill under strict historic district rules. Wisconsin Avenue's side streets hold the closest blocks. Georgetown's steeper grades and the C&O Canal give it away in a wide shot, so tighter street level frames hold the match best. Try searching Federal brick rowhouses marble steps now.
Beacon Hill in Boston, Massachusetts
Beacon Hill's brick rowhouses carry the same Federal and Greek Revival detail, gas style lamps and brick sidewalks as Society Hill. Chestnut Street and Mount Vernon Street hold the most unbroken rows. Beacon Hill's steep pitch and purple paned windows are the tell in a wide shot. Try searching brick rowhouses street gas lamps now.
South of Broad's brick townhouses share the same colonial proportions and marble steps, though its piazzas and pastel paint set it apart at a glance. The single house form is the main difference from Society Hill's flat fronted rows. Piazzas and shutter colors need dressing out to hold a Society Hill match. Try searching colonial brick townhouses now.
