Once a thriving 18th century industrial village, Historic RittenhouseTown is a unique, preserved colonial community which has been designated a National Historic landmark by the United State Department of Interior. It is located on the Monoshone Creek in
Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. This enchanting little village of seven houses was the site of the first hand papermill in America. Wilhelm Rittenhausen arrived here from Holland in 1688 and within two years built a mill to manufacture fine white paper. It remained the center of papermaking in America for nearly 100 years.