Nestled on two and a half acres in Mount Airy, a leafy enclave in northwest Philadelphia, this Federal-style mansion, dubbed Upsala, is searching for a new steward to ensure the protection of its architectural and historic integrity. Currently owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation—a D.C.–based nonprofit—the handsome property played a key role in the Revolutionary War, serving as the staging ground for American forces during the Battle of Germantown in 1777. It operated as a house museum starting in 1944 but has more recently been used for office and residential purposes.

Comprising a gable-roofed main block with a connected rear building and its addition, Upsala was constructed in 1798 by John Johnson III, whose family owned the farmland on which it was built. The schist-clad house contains two stories plus an attic, and boasts a pedimented portico supported by Doric columns and pilasters. The interior of the main block features a graceful elliptical staircase, paneled wainscoting, decorative millwork, and eight elaborate fireplaces.

The National Trust—along with Upsala’s administrator, Cliveden Inc. —is seeking proposals for residential, nonprofit, or revenue-based uses for the property , which is both located in a National Historic Landmark District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, among other designations. As a condition of the sale, the trust will place an easement on the estate to ensure the preservation of its exterior and landscape, and any interior changes are subject to approval by the trust. Proposals are due by October 6.