Johnson House Historic Site — Attraction in Philadelphia

My wife and I were excited to visit the Johnson House—a beautiful building with rich history—especially since June 20th was listed on VisitPhilly.com as a free museum day with no registration required. Unfortunately, our experience left us confused and disappointed.

We arrived around 2:30 PM and were met by someone outside locking up. She asked if we were registered, and we explained that VisitPhilly and other sources clearly stated no registration was needed. She let us in and told us to join the 3 PM tour. While we toured part of the house with others already inside, she later returned and said the tour would be $15 per person.

Again, we showed her the listings online that said the tour was free. She insisted they were incorrect and instead showed us a 2023 tour schedule that listed the $15 fee. We were confused—why show outdated information in 2025?

Rather than argue, we chose to leave. It was frustrating to be misled by published promotions that didn’t match the on-site experience. We hope future visitors don’t go through the same confusion. Please ensure your public listings are up to date and accurate. Also, make sure your staff are aware of what you and the city are offering...

Very upsetting, how children are being told that 90% of the Indians just died from disease!!!!! Never mention how europeans killed them off with disease, murder and put the rest on reservations!!! They also completly water down what actually happened to slaves! They describe the european invasion of africans in a very pleasant way, saying as EXPERT builders (africans) europeans decided to get them to help build america! I think its horrible how europeans are teaching ppl of color watered down history! These EXPERT BUILDERS were ripped from their families, beaten, raped, robbed,misled and stripped from their dignity! Theses experts DIED in unimaginable conditions crossing the ocean, but of course none of this is mentioned! Why even mention any of these things if ur not gonna go in detail???? Pls get ppl of color to work their so the truth can be told properly! My ancestors stories need to be...

Very disappointing and unprofessional experience. We visited the Johnson House Historic Site on June 20, 2025, after seeing it advertised on Visit Philly as one of the free museums for the day. When we arrived for the 3 PM tour, we were abruptly told we needed an appointment—even though nowhere on the website did it mention that pre-registration was required.

We were eventually let inside for a quick look, but then the same staff member stopped us and demanded a $15 fee for entry and a tour. We showed her the official Visit Philly promotion listing the site as free for the day, but she insisted on using a printed tour schedule from 2023 to justify the charge.

At that point, we simply left—frustrated and disappointed. It was a waste of time and a real letdown, especially for a historic site that should be more welcoming and organized during a city-wide free...