As part of the original Female Medical College of Pennsylvania and later the Woman’s Hospital of Philadelphia campus, the Gatehouse Café has a rich and varied history. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the exterior structure of the Gatehouse Café has been restored to its original construction.

In 1850, the world's first medical school for women was founded in Philadelphia by Quaker businessmen, clergy and physicians. Operated by philanthropist William J. Mullen, “Woman’s Med” was the first medical school in the world to provide medical education exclusively for women. In its early days, it faced serious opposition from the male medical establishment. As a result, Ann Preston, M.D., a member of the College’s first graduating class, founded the Woman’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1861, providing invaluable clinical training for the school’s female only, medical students and nurses. In 1970, the campus became the Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) until its rebirth as the Falls Center in 2008.

During this chapter of Philadelphia’s medical history, the Gatehouse Café was converted from the property’s horse barn to a college Inn, providing a hospitable setting for students, faculty and friends to enjoy tea, luncheons, and special ceremonies.

Over the years, the beauty and functionality of the building faded, and its future remained uncertain until December, 2009, when proprietors Gina Bostic and Adrienne Williams began a restoration designed to blend the structure's original natural splendor with contemporary design elements. From the exposed roof beams to the natural stone walls and modern finishes, the Gatehouse Café is once again an authentic gem in the heart of East Falls.