As part of its 2025 Fall Training Program, 19th Century Growing Pains or We The People... Now What?(https://phillyguides.org/training-2/), the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) is offering an Old City in the 19th Century Walking Tour(https://phillyguides.org/event/19th-c-growing-pains-old-city-in-the-19th-century-walking-tour/) on Thursday, November 13 from 2-4 pm beginning at Arch Street Meeting House(https://www.historicasmh.org/) (320 Arch Street) and ending near Christ Church(https://christchurchphila.org/) (20 N. American Street).
Antoinette Langeveld(https://phillyguides.org/cm-expert/antoinette-langeveld/), APT Treasurer and certified tour guide with Preservation Alliance(https://www.preservationalliance.com/), City Hall(https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/city-hall-building-tour), and Powel House(https://www.philalandmarks.org/powel-house) will show us Old City in a new light as we shift attention to its 19th century history of industry, commerce, immigration, and social change. Old City is perhaps the one area of Philadelphia which most vividly exhibits the social, economic, and architectural changes which have comprised the three hundred years of the city’s history. At first glance, Old City may appear to be a somewhat motley group of 19th century commercial loft buildings, and in fact it contains one of the largest and most valuable collections of these structures in the country. But there is much more here than initially meets the eye. Come walk with us to explore Old City from a 19th century perspective.
NOTE: Following the tour, enjoy some relaxed social time after a busy day!
The Greater Philadelphia Books Launch, 5:30-7 pm (doors open at 5, program begins at 5:40), free, registration requested(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdhLJv-0wKXvWw-0tgZ8iKjW3HImAuOOgMInh6VXWpx19Nmg/viewform).
Join Independence Historical Trust and the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation at the Independence Visitor Center to celebrate the launch of Greater Philadelphia: A New History for the Twenty-First Century(https://www.pennpress.org/greater-philadelphia/), a landmark three-volume book project from the University of Pennsylvania Press. Editors who have been with the project from its inception, including APT's own Charlene Mires, will share what goes into creating a work of this scale, the surprising stories behind Philadelphia’s unique history, and the lengths they went to tell it all.
Check out the complete training program description(https://phillyguides.org/training-2/) to figure out the best combination of events and pricing for you. The full package of a possible 9 events PLUS a full day bus tour to Fairmount Park is ($100 member/ $150 non-member), or you may prefer to choose individual tour or lecture events ($15 member/$25 non-member) with or without the full bus day ($50/$70).
Non-members may want to join APT - early bird pricing is in effect through December 31 for 2026 membership - to receive the member prices.
This tour is also offered(https://phillyguides.org/event/old-city-in-the-19th-century-walking-tour/) Saturday, November 15.
Other tours offered in this time slot are: Historic District with Guiding Basics(https://phillyguides.org/event/19th-c-growing-pains-historic-district-tour-with-guiding-basics/) and Bankers' Row(https://phillyguides.org/event/19th-c-growing-pains-bankers-row-walking-tour/).
This is a unique opportunity for our members - please join us!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St., Philadelphia, us
