Chamounix (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Chamounix is a historic home located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Federal-style house was built in 1802 by George Plumsted who was a wealthy Philadelphia merchant, then enlarged to nearly double its original size by subsequent owners after 1853.^[1] Chamounix is a 2½-story stuccoed stone dwelling measuring 45 feet (14 m) long and 47 feet (14 m) deep, featuring a hipped roof with dormers and a porch on three sides with decorative iron supports. The house served as a country retreat until it was appropriated by the state via eminent domain in 1869 to become a part of Fairmount Park, from which time it was used in various ways including as a boarding house, a restaurant, and a refreshment stand. After years of neglect and then fire damage, the Fairmount Park Commission decided to demolish Chamounix; however, a committee of the former American Youth Hostels (AYH, now HI USA) successfully petitioned to save it and, since 1964, it has served as an international youth hostel.^[3]

Chamounix
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Philadelphia Register of Historic Places
Chamounix, June 2010
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Location	West Fairmount Park on Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	40°0′13.6″N 75°11′46.6″W
Area	Less than one acre
Built	1802; 223 years ago (1802)[1]
Architectural style	Federal[1]
NRHP reference No.	72001146[2]
Added to NRHP	April 26, 1972

Chamounix was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.^[2]

See also

• List of houses in Fairmount Park