Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Powel House
- Christ Church
- St. Peter's Church
- Independence Mall
Photos & Highlights
- Get the full picture of Philadelphia through social, architectural, and political lenses including insider tips along the way
- Led by a local historian
Select a date
Tour Description
Founded in the 17th century by William Penn as a haven for persecuted Quakers, Philadelphia quickly became the most important city in America. By the dawn of the revolution it was the largest English-speaking city in the world outside of London. Covering some of the most significant sites in Old City Philadelphia, this Philadelphia History Tour explores the social and political mechanisms that defined the city and set the stage for the Declaration of Independence and the Continental Congress.
Philadelphia History Tour
We begin our Philadelphia History Tour with the plan of the city and a discussion of the critical figure of William Penn, founding father of the colony of Pennsylvania and architect—in a very real sense—of the city of Philadelphia. Using the plaza-scale plan of the city located near Second Street as our reference point, we'll look at how Penn's rational plan set the stage for an explosion of commerce and trade and the influx of immigrants from all over the world. As we make our way through the well-preserved historic core of the city, past buildings that still stand after more than 200 years, we'll look at some of the key themes that defined Philadelphia in those early years including Quakerism, religious tolerance, and unfettered trade.
A Glimpse at the Past in Historic Philadelphia
Depending on venue visiting hours, our Philadelphia History Tour may also take us into historic houses and house museums along streets dating to the 18th century, and as well as some of the churches that played a role in the founding of the U.S. These may include Carpenter's Hall, Old St. Mary's, St. Peter's, and Independence Hall. As we walk we'll move forward through history to discuss how the city evolved socially, architecturally, and politically through the colonial period until the dawn of the revolution. As this area of the city saw the construction of some of the largest houses, we'll focus specifically on the emergence of a wealthy merchant class in the 18th century and how they defined the city at the dawn of Independence and through the war.
Take Aways
We will typically end our Philadelphia History Tour at Headhouse Market in Society Hill, a historic center of trade in the city that is today the most vibrant farmer's market in Center City. This walking tour is a good introduction to Philadelphia during the colonial period and exploration of the major sites in Old City south of Market Street.
To explore colonial Philadelphia in even more depth, we recommend our Ben Franklin Tour. For a look at late-19th century opulence, try our Philadelphia Architecture Tour.
FAQ
Does this tour visit the interiors of the venue stops as well?
This tour includes only exteriors as it's a walking history tour. Depending on your interests and venue opening hours, you may have the opportunity to enter 1 or 2 venues along the way. It is a good idea to carry some cash in case you choose to enter a stop along the way, at your own expense.
Where You'll Start
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87 Reviews
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My wife and I had an absolutely delightful tour yesterday with Joella as we were given a perfect overview of the key historic sites around the Old City and City Center of Philadelphia! It was our first day of our week-long visit to this wonderful city, filled with history related to the founding of our republic. Joella immediately asked what our desires were for our tour so she could customize her plans accordingly. She was excited about sharing valuable insight about the places we visited and her tour was the perfect mix of walking, standing, and resting along the way during our three-hour tour. We were completely satisfied with her choices and would certainly recommend her walking tour to other visitors to Philadelphia who also want a tour that stands out among many available here in the City of Brotherly Love. One of the things that capped our excellent tour was the three of us sharing our reflections on some of the key sites Joella led us through, including how the historical events and "sides" of the political and moral issues of that time period are still reflected in many of today's world events. Thank you, Joella - and thank you Context!
Steve
Sep. 12, 2024
Charlene was very knowledgeable, a great communicator and tailored our walking tour to our needs.
Joseph
Sep. 4, 2024
We had the absolute BEST tour with John! I lived in Philadelphia for a few years and John took us to places I had never experienced. I loved learning about history from a different angle, and especially enjoyed our time in Elfreth's Alley and Christ Church. We would do the tour again in a heart beat! Highly recommend for anyone- even those who live in the city and want to do something different. Thank you, John, for an incredible day in the city!
Catharine
Sep. 1, 2024