Rediscovery and history of Alexander Wilson’s house in Philadelphia, the forgotten birthplace of <i>American ornithology</i> (1808–1814)

It has long been assumed (incorrectly) that the house of William Jones at 233 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Alexander Wilson (1766–1813) lived during the production of American ornithology (1808–1814), and where he died, was demolished long ago. Here, it is revealed that the ‘Jones House’ is still standing after 220 years. The house number changed from 233 to 733 Spruce St., c.1860, misleading historians. The history of the house, its relevance to American art and science, and its continued existence, have not been previously discussed.