Upcoming Neighborhood Walking Tours
Up and Over the Ben Franklin Bridge
You’ve crossed it by car or viewed it from afar; now experience this magnificent bridge from a whole new perspective! Walk from Philadelphia to Camden with our guide to learn about the history and construction of what was once the longest suspension bridge in the worldYou’ve crossed it by car or viewed it from afar; now experience this magnificent bridge from a whole new perspective! Walk from Philadelphia to Camden with our guide to learn about the history and construction of what was once the longest suspension bridge in the world. Look down on the mighty Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Get acquainted with the past, present and future of waterfront development on both sides of the river. At the end of the tour, walk through the Rutgers-Camden campus for a return trip to Center City on the PATCO Hi-Speedline (not included in price).
Central Bryn Mawr
The quiet country village was transformed in the 19th century by the construction of the paved Lancaster “turnpike” and various railroads, which facilitated nearby real estate speculation, including Frank Furness’ Bryn Mawr Hotel (now Baldwin School), several imposing churches, and the area’s characteristic large and comfortable housesThe quiet country village was transformed in the 19th century by the construction of the paved Lancaster “turnpike” and various railroads, which facilitated nearby real estate speculation, including Frank Furness’ Bryn Mawr Hotel (now Baldwin School), several imposing churches, and the area’s characteristic large and comfortable houses. This tour will also explore the sylvan campus of Bryn Mawr College, including buildings by Addison Hutton, Cope & Stewardson, Mellor Meigs & Howe, and Louis Kahn.
Frankford
Explore the history of a unique faith community—the New Jerusalem Society of Frankford (Swedenborgian)—organized in 1817 as a Free-Will Baptist church on Hedge and Bowser (now Plum) StreetsExplore the history of a unique faith community—the New Jerusalem Society of Frankford (Swedenborgian)—organized in 1817 as a Free-Will Baptist church on Hedge and Bowser (now Plum) Streets. HSF Board member Gail McCormick, author of a new book on Philadelphia’s Swedenborgians, will orient guests in the related gallery exhibit at 10 a.m. The walking tour will follow, making several stops in East Frankford, including the society’s last church building on Paul Street, a Gothic-style chapel designed by Philadelphia architect William F. Gray. The tour will include a few stops on Frankford Avenue and Griscom Street on the loop back to the Historical Society.
Attendees are welcome to spend time at the Frankford Historical Society after the tour. Light refreshments will be provided.
Mount Moriah Cemetery
Join Bill Warwick on a walk through time on nearly 200 rolling acres of secluded, and largely unknown Victorian era rustic green space situated in South West Philadelphia and Yeadon Delaware CountyJoin Bill Warwick on a walk through time on nearly 200 rolling acres of secluded, and largely unknown Victorian era rustic green space situated in South West Philadelphia and Yeadon Delaware County. Chartered in 1855 and the final resting place for an estimated two hundred thousand persons, we will walk and discuss the history of the cemetery through time and visit notable locations of the property. As a level 1 arboretum, Mount Moriah is sought out by historians, photographers, bird watchers, ghost hunters, artists, and people simply looking to escape the urban core.
Bill Warwick is a Delaware County native who began volunteering at Mount Moriah Cemetery in March of 2012 at the first Park Day event. A yar later, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, and soon after elected as Vice President of the Board. Today Bill still serves on the Board, and for his day job, he is the Principal at Barton Partners, architect planners in Norristown, PA, where he has been for 30 years of his career.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support the work of Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Bella Vista
Bella Vista (“beautiful view”) is a vibrant, historic residential neighborhood and home to the famous Ninth Street Market, AKA the Italian Market, one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating open-air marketsBella Vista (“beautiful view”) is a vibrant, historic residential neighborhood and home to the famous Ninth Street Market, AKA the Italian Market, one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating open-air markets. The tour will highlight the lively neighborhood’s architecture, diverse ethnic mix, and social changes.
Rittenhouse Square West
Contrast the many generations of high-rise apartment building architecture on the Square – representing every decade of the 20th century – with the smaller scale of the grand houses on nearby streets while walking past some of Philadelphia’s most fashionable brownstones.Contrast the many generations of high-rise apartment building architecture on the Square – representing every decade of the 20th century – with the smaller scale of the grand houses on nearby streets while walking past some of Philadelphia’s most fashionable brownstones.
Navy Yard
Since the closing of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in the late 1990’s, the area has been transformed into one of the most successful redevelopment projects in the citySince the closing of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in the late 1990’s, the area has been transformed into one of the most successful redevelopment projects in the city. Today it is a thriving, mixed-use riverfront community with more than 15,000 people and 150 companies and soon to be residential apartments. Learn about the Navy Yard’s past and see their plans for the future.
Parkside
Built from the vestiges of the 1876 Centennial landscape by Frederick Poth and his young architect Henry Flower, Parkside rose and fell over the next century due to its changing demographicsBuilt from the vestiges of the 1876 Centennial landscape by Frederick Poth and his young architect Henry Flower, Parkside rose and fell over the next century due to its changing demographics. Extensive decay by the 1980s was reversed starting in the ’90s by beautiful building restorations that retained the neighborhood’s affordability. Learn about the historic preservation efforts and setbacks of Parkside over the past 20 years and see the efforts of the community’s engagement in the preservation of the neighborhood as a whole, including a look at the community garden.