[7] By 1863, the Philadelphia School of Design for Women secured enough financial support to purchase a building at the corner of Broad and Filbert Streets.

When the Pennsylvania Railroad bought the building for a new station, the school’s board used the money to purchase its new home at the Edwin Forrest Mansion on Broad and Master Streets.

[8] The mansion, which housed the school from 1880 to 1959, offered larger spaces for classes, exhibitions, and social events.

As the school continued to expand, it opened dormitories on Race Street to bring students closer to the cultural and artistic attractions near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Speakman's credentials were called into question by designer Thomas Braidwood in February 1853, leading to a period of contention over the administration of the school between Sarah Peter and a committee from the Franklin Institute.

[12] Several members of the Sartain family played a large role in the development of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women.

[15] Although it’s unclear why the administrative title changed, Harold Rice became the school’s first president in 1947, remaining in the position until 1963.

[17][18] The institution was renamed in 1932 after Joseph Moore Jr. set up a $3 Million dollar endowment in memory of his parents.