What we’re about
The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides holds monthly meetings which feature a guest speaker on a topic of historical significance in Philadelphia or a field trip for a behind-the-scenes tour of a local historic site. Meetings are open to aspiring and working tour guides as well as anyone with an interest in Philadelphia-focused history. Attend one meeting for free and then it is $60 to join the association for the year or $10 per monthly meeting event. If you love and want to learn more about this amazing, vibrant city of 'firsts' - the birthplace of the United States - please join us!
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Birch's Views of PhiladelphiaNeeds location
The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) presents a special Zoom presentation of "Birch’s Views of Philadelphia" by renowned architectural historian and author Dr. Emily Cooperman on August 18 at 7 PM. Described as a "masterpiece," Birch's Views is the first book of views to be produced and published in the United States. 18th century Philadelphia is its subject.
Emily T. Cooperman is an architectural and landscape historian and historic preservation consultant. She serves as the principal of ARCH Preservation Consulting and as a senior consultant for Preservation Design Partnership. Her published work includes, with Lea Carson Sherk, William Birch: Picturing the American Scene (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2010).
Email Mike Teti vicepresident@phillyguides.org to register and receive the Zoom link. All are welcome to this complimentary presentation - please join us!
- September Book ClubNeeds location
The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) will hold its next Zoom book club meeting on Tuesday, September 16 at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend. In honor of this year's Homecoming 250 and the founding of the Navy in Philadelphia, September's book club choice is Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy by Ian Toll.
Before the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent military became the most divisive issue facing the new government. The founders—particularly Jefferson, Madison, and Adams—debated fiercely. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect from pirates or drain the treasury and provoke hostility? Britain alone had hundreds of powerful warships.
From the decision to build six heavy frigates, through the cliff-hanger campaign against Tripoli, to the war that shook the world in 1812, Ian Toll tells this grand tale with political insight and narrative flair.
APT members will find Zoom details in the Tour Talk newsletter the week of the meeting. Non-APT members who would like to participate in the September book club should email APT Secretary Pam Covey at secretary@phillyguides.org no later than 5 pm the day of the meeting to receive the Zoom link. Please join us!
