Upcoming Neighborhood Walking Tours
Ambler
Ambler was first settled by white Europeans in 1682 and was a small mill town until it was transformed into a factory town for asbestos company Keasbey and Mattison. The “asbestos king” built his own castle here. We will walk from the train station and learn who has lived in Ambler since the time ofAmbler was first settled by white Europeans in 1682 and was a small mill town until it was transformed into a factory town for asbestos company Keasbey and Mattison. The “asbestos king” built his own castle here. We will walk from the train station and learn who has lived in Ambler since the time of William Penn’s arrival. We will walk by a castle and grand Victorian homes, and see some of the serious environmental impact that industrialization has had on the town.
Society Hill Stroll
Society Hill received its name from the “Free Society of Traders” who were granted a strip of land in this area by William Penn in 1683Society Hill received its name from the “Free Society of Traders” who were granted a strip of land in this area by William Penn in 1683. Take a leisurely walk through this country’s largest, intact collection of original colonial and post-colonial residential architecture. Learn about this neighborhood’s mid 20th century renewal efforts and its contribution to establishing Philadelphia as a “livable” city.
Art Deco
This popular early 20th century style, synonymous with the Jazz Age, has been described as having one foot in the past and one foot in the futureThis popular early 20th century style, synonymous with the Jazz Age, has been described as having one foot in the past and one foot in the future. Its sleek appearance foretells the debut of Modernism while its use of Mayan and Aztec motifs echoes the past. Among Philadelphia’s outstanding examples featured on this walk is the flamboyant WCAU Building on the 1600 block of Chestnut Street.
Northern Liberties
William Penn stipulated that 10,000 acres north of the original city become “liberty lands.” Once home to many of the city’s breweries, this funky, culturally diverse neighborhood today is the home of many artists and writersWilliam Penn stipulated that 10,000 acres north of the original city become “liberty lands.” Once home to many of the city’s breweries, this funky, culturally diverse neighborhood today is the home of many artists and writers. See the old and the new and make note of the many little neighborhood eateries along the way.
Lansdowne
Explore historic Lansdowne Borough and its early Victorian subdivisions that were created as a result of the expansion of the West Chester and Philadelphia RailroadExplore historic Lansdowne Borough and its early Victorian subdivisions that were created as a result of the expansion of the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad. Lansdowne has two National Register listed Historic Districts, 12 locally designated districts and hundreds of historic buildings, all within a square mile. Come explore the tree-lined streets of two neighborhood districts and the central business district, which includes the iconic Lansdowne Theater, and stay for the Arts on the Avenue festival.
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.
Camden’s Historic Cooper Street
The Cooper Street Historic District and adjacent campus of Rutgers-Camden are a living museum of American urban history![](https://preservationalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cooper-Street-scaled.jpeg)
The Cooper Street Historic District and adjacent campus of Rutgers-Camden are a living museum of American urban history. Surviving nineteenth-century residences and later commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings tell the story of Camden’s emergence as an industrial powerhouse and the impacts of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and urban renewal. Within six blocks, highlights of this walk will include a rare row of 1850s working-class rental properties, the 1869 mansion of Philadelphia advertising pioneer F.W. Ayer, Camden’s first luxury apartment building, the distinctive public art of Johnson Park, and surviving buildings of the RCA-Victor factory complex. We will see residences individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places for their architectural merit and a variety of approaches to preservation and adaptive reuse.
This tour will be led by Charlene Mires, a historian and former director of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH) at Rutgers-Camden. She founded the Learning From Cooper Street project.
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).
Powelton Village
The small neighborhood of Powelton Village in West Philadelphia has great stories to tellThe small neighborhood of Powelton Village in West Philadelphia has great stories to tell. Settled by Welsh Quakers after 1682, the village was named for the 18th-century estate of Samuel Powel, the mayor of Philadelphia during the Revolution. This tour features an eclectic variety of mid- to late 19th-century houses, mansions, and a few churches of this early “street car suburb.” Among the designers are some of Philadelphia’s foremost late 19th-Century architects, including Wilson Eyre, Willis Hale and the Wilson Brothers. The neighborhood also includes a few innovative 21st-century buildings for Drexel University.
Around Washington Square
Walk around one of William Penn’s original planned public parksWalk around one of William Penn’s original planned public parks. Learn how this square served as a burial ground for over 1,200 Revolutionary War soldiers, then as a potter’s field before receiving its present name in 1825. See The Athenaeum, the first Italian Renaissance building in the US, and learn how the Square became home to the publishing industry in the early 20th century. Today, many of the former office buildings are being transformed into residences as Washington Square serves as an important gateway to the nearby residential Society Hill neighborhood.
Frank Furness: A Talk and Tour
Explore the work of one of Philadelphia’s most colorful architects by taking this comprehensive, first-of-its-kind tourExplore the work of one of Philadelphia’s most colorful architects by taking this comprehensive, first-of-its-kind tour. Buildings that have been demolished or that are beyond walking distance will be discussed by illustrated presentation inside the Furness-designed First Unitarian Church. After the presentation, join your guide for a walking tour of nearby Furnessian gems.
Second Bank of the United States and Carpenters’ Hall
Visit two classic buildings in Old City honored at this year’s 2024 Preservation Achievement Awards; the Second Bank of the US and Carpenters’ HallVisit two classic buildings in Old City honored at this year’s 2024 Preservation Achievement Awards; the Second Bank of the US and Carpenters’ Hall.
Second Bank of the United States
This marvel of Greek Revival architecture designed by noted Philadelphia architect William Strickland, houses a fine collection of over 100 portraits, many of them by 18th century artist Charles Willson Peale. Originally built to be the Second Bank of the United States, the building now draws visitors to gaze upon the faces of the leaders of the Revolutionary era.
The People of Independence exhibit provides a glimpse into the lives of those who prized order and reason, yet lived in a world marked by disease, slavery, and the fear of the unknown. Portraits by artist Charles Willson Peale form the core of the collection. In the early 1800’s, these likenesses of “worthy Personages” were exhibited in Peale’s Philadelphia Museum, located on the second floor of Independence Hall.
Carpenters’ Hall
Executive Director Michael Norris of the Carpenters’ Company will lead a insider tour of this 1774 model Georgian building designed by master builder Robert Smith. Home to the Carpenters’ Company, the oldest continuous builder’s association in the States, this building incorporates exemplar details namely the cross shaped floor plan, octagonal cupola, fanlight, flemish bond brickwork, and a pedimented entrance with applied columns.
Beyond housing the guild hall, Carpenters’ Hall was once rented to other organizations including the Library Company of Philadelphia, the First Bank of the US, Bank of Pennsylvania, Custom House, and Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Now Carpenters’ Hall and the Carpenters’ Company continues to thrive and is also open to the public for tours 300 days a year free of charge and invites 130,000 annual visitors to experience a piece of American history.
Old City
Explore colonial Philadelphia and walk some of its original streetsExplore colonial Philadelphia and walk some of its original streets. See famous Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously occupied street in the US, and experience the walking/mercantile city, as well as a later generation of Victorian structures. Learn how this area remained the center of Philadelphia’s commercial, retail and governmental activities until the city finally moved “westward” to Center Square in the mid/late 19th century.
University of Pennsylvania
Stroll the campus of one of the country’s most prestigious Ivy League schoolsStroll the campus of one of the country’s most prestigious Ivy League schools. See old and new buildings designed by such notable American architects as Trumbauer, Cope & Stewardson, Furness, Kahn, and Venturi Scott Brown. Hear about campus planning and the neighborhood’s revitalization and enjoy the University’s award-winning landscape.
Rittenhouse Square East
Philadelphia’s most fashionable address was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuriesPhiladelphia’s most fashionable address was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy today’s ambiance and compare the grand homes designed for the wealthy elite to the understated, elegant residences on Delancey Street.
Underground Philadelphia
Discover the Philadelphia Plan, which gave us two Art Deco masterpieces, the monumental 30th Street Station and Suburban Station, the first all-underground rail terminalDiscover the Philadelphia Plan, which gave us two Art Deco masterpieces, the monumental 30th Street Station and Suburban Station, the first all-underground rail terminal. The tour starts at 30th Street Station and proceeds via trolley to 19th St. From the Comcast tower lobby, descend into an underground concourse network to the site of The Fashion District before ending at Reading Terminal. Along the way, lament the loss of Broad St. Station and learn about the 1905-mid-50s trolley and subway lines, the Broad Street subway (1928), the Commuter Rail Tunnel (1984), and the former Reading Terminal.
Media
Media was planned in the 1850s as the seat of Delaware CountyMedia was planned in the 1850s as the seat of Delaware County. Discover architecture dating from the Federal era, see lavish Victorian homes and enjoy the beautifully restored Beaux Arts/Art Deco Media Theater before experiencing the renaissance of its commercial district.