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Philadelphia Contributionship
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Pennsylvania state historical marker
(2013)
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Location	212 S. 4th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	39°56′49″N 75°08′54″W / 39.946825°N 75.148249°W / 39.946825; -75.148249
Built	1835-36
Architect	Thomas U. Walter Collins and Autenreith
Architectural style	Greek Revival
NRHP reference No.	71000732
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	May 27, 1971
Designated NHL	December 22, 1977
Designated PHMC	December 17, 1954

The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire is the oldest property insurance company in the United States. It was organized by Benjamin Franklin in 1752 and incorporated in 1768.

The Contributionship's building, at 212 S. 4th Street between Walnut and Locust Streets in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, was built in 1835-36 and was designed by Thomas U. Walter in the Greek Revival style, with Corinthian columns. The portico was replaced in 1866 by Collins and Autenreith, who also expanded the living quarters on the top two floors by adding a mansard roof. A marble cornice between the third and fourth floors was also added. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

History

The Philadelphia Contributionship (TPC) was founded in 1752, largely through the efforts of Benjamin Franklin. It was structured as a mutual insurance organization, providing fire insurance to a limited area in and around Philadelphia. It introduced several key principles that underpin modern insurance techniques, including inspecting properties to be insured and setting rates based on a risk assessment. Buildings not constructed to specified standards were rejected for coverage, and rates could be raised for unsafe living practices, such as storing combustible materials in wooden buildings. The company was also the first to establish a financial reserve to pay claims.

Franklin's newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette, first began to advertise the upcoming (April 13, 1752) organizational meeting in its issue of February 18, with a notice that "All persons inclined to subscribe to the articles of insurance of houses from fire, in or near this city, are desired to appear at the Court-house, where attendance will be given, to take in their subscriptions, every seventh day of the week, in the afternoon, until the 13th of April next, being the day appointed by the said articles for electing twelve directors and a treasurer."

The company directors first met in taverns and other public meeting spaces, with larger organizational meetings at the courthouse. Its directors finally purchased land for a permanent headquarters in 1835.

Current Day

The Philadelphia Contributionship is still up and running today, offering Homeowners Condo & Renters, Landlord Property, and Umbrella Liability Insurance Policies among other unique coverages. The network of agents has since expanded to serve in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.

TPC staffs over 120 employees and has been named a Top Workplace in Philadelphia by The Philadelphia Inquirer for 5 years.

Early directors

See also

• History of insurance
• History of cooperatives in the United States
• List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Center City, Philadelphia

References

Notes

1. ^ Gallery, John Andrew, ed. (2004), Philadelphia Architecture: A Guide to the City (2nd ed.), Philadelphia: Foundation for Architecture, ISBN 0962290815, p.50
2. "PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
4. ^ "Philadelphia Contributionship". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
5. "Key events in the history of Contributionship". The Contributionship Companies. Archived from the original on February 5, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
6. ^ George R. Adams (May 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Philadelphia Contributionship" (pdf). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying 9 photos, exterior and interior, from 1972 and 1977 (32 KB)
7. The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 18, 1752, p2
8. The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 17, 1752, p2
9. The Philadelphia Contributionship. (2023, August 8). https://1752.com/
10. The Philadelphia Inquirer - Top Workplaces 2023. The Philadelphia Inquirer. (2023a, August 29). https://sponsored.inquirer.com/philadelphia-inquirer-top-workplaces-2023-hub/

External links

• Media related to Philadelphia Contributionship at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website
• Key events in the history of Contributionship – official website of the Contributionship Companies
• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-1457, "Philadelphia Contributionship, House Fire Insurance, 212 South Fourth Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA", 7 photos, 2 data pages, 1 photo caption page

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