BENEZET HOUSE

A Frenchman, Anthony Benezet, who stood for freedom in the 18th century, would be proud to know that this building was named after him. Benezet was a Quaker and abolitionist who established a school for girls in Pennsylvania and later a school for Black students. To honor his commitment to equality in education, the female teachers and female boarding students were housed here. The mandatory nightly chapel service held in the ground floor lobby was, however, open to both male and female students. 

This location was the focal point of home economics training for female students, each of whom was required to reside in Benezet before they graduated. Today, Benezet House houses overnight guests to Penn Center.