How the government shutdown impacts Saturday’s Revolutionary Germantown Festival

While the effects of the federal-government shutdown are substantially more noticeable on Independence Mall and at National Park Service properties nationwide, one ripple will seemingly make its way to Northwest Philadelphia on Saturday.

The Deshler-Morris House (aka Germantown’s White House) has been closed all year due to the federal sequester.

Still, Bob McKee of Historic Germantown told NewsWorks on Tuesday that the nation’s oldest official presidential residence — it twice sheltered George Washington, in 1783 and 1784 — was going to open for just one day to be part of Saturday’s Revolutionary Germantown Festival.

“However, I believe that will not be happening now,” said McKee, noting that he would keep NewsWorks apprised if that changes as the shutdown-debate continues.

An email to Historic Germantown’s contact at the National Park Service drew this response: “I am out of the office for the duration of the Government Shutdown. I will not be checking messages but will return your email upon my return to the office.”

There are still a slew of other events scheduled to bring a festive atmosphere to Germantown Avenue thoughout the day Saturday.