1838 Black Metropolis

As part of its 2025 Fall Training Program, 19th Century Growing Pains or We The People... Now What?, the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) is offering an 1838 Black Metropolis Walking Tour on Thursday, November 13 from 9-11 am, beginning at the Independence Visitor Center and ending at Mother Bethel AME Church (419 6th St.).

Matthew Palmer, APT certified guide with The Black Journey, will lead this walking tour. It begins at the President’s House and discusses Ona Judge; James Forten; Euphemia Williams who was accused of being a fugitive slave and won her court case; Dinah Nevil, a Lenape woman who insisted she was free and was helped by the Society of Friends; musician Frank Johnson; Sarah Ash and Rachel Myers who lived at an Underground Railroad site; William Still and Benezet Hall; and ends at Mother Bethel AME Church after covering the Gibbs brothers who worked on the third Mother Bethel building. While many guides know about Ona Judge and James Forten, there are lesser known people described on the tour - ordinary people who had extraordinary moments of fighting injustice and winning, either through the courts or through the Underground Railroad, and many of their homes are still standing!

Check out the complete training program description 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 can join APT - early bird pricing for 2026 membership is available through December 31 - and receive the member discount.

This tour is also offered on Saturday, November 15.
Also offered in this time slot: Bible Riots & Other Religious History

It's a great opportunity - please join us!