Historic Philadelphia, Inc has partnered up with the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation to promote a new tour that brings Philly’s past to the present—and visitors can see for themselves while walking through America’s most historic square mile from Dec. 26 – 30.
Kicking off next Monday, those who are looking for some fun activities in between the holidays will be able to participate in The Official Historic Philadelphia Walking Tour where costumed tour guides bring stories of the past to life through three different characters.
Tour highlights include stops outside of the President’s House, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and Franklin Court. Guides will be portrayals of different historical figures and will rotate between three different people. The first, Bishop Richard Allen, is portrayed by Bob Branch.
As the founder and Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, he was born a slave, purchased his freedom by working as a blacksmith, and went on to become a prominent leader in Philadelphia’s free Black community. The Bishop would also go on to find the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a denomination that served the city’s Black citizens, according to the official description.
Two other figures cover a brewer who made his mark in the Philadelphia region and a young boy who heard the very first reading of the Declaration of Independence and later became a leader in the abolition movement.
Trooper Robert Hare, portrayed by Bill McIlhenny, was born in England and came to Philadelphia in 1773. He was credited as the first person to brew porter in America, and he also served in the First Troop City Cavalry and was active in politics later in his life. James Forten, portrayed by Keith Henley, was there on that historic day in 1776. Forten was educated at a school for Black children then became a successful sail maker and leader among Philadelphia’s community of free African Americans. And as the official description reads, he served with heroism in the American Revolution and spent his life working to win equality for Blacks and women.
Tours will last about 45 minutes and include a warm beverage from the Independence Visitor Center Café. Tour times are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. through the five days that the activation runs. Tickets are available on the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation website at phlvisitorcenter.
Also through Historic Philadelphia, visitors and families can check out the annual Franklin Square Light Show presented by PECO. Each show will feature two songs being performed, with six options rotating. ‘All I want for Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey, ‘Feliz Navidad’ by José Feliciano and ‘A Christmas Festival’, performed by Peter Nero and The Philly POPS featuring Ann Hampton Callaway are among some of the soundtrack options. Beginning on Jan. 11 however, ‘Winter Wonderland’ by Johnny Mathis will be the solo song for each show running nightly through Feb. 26.
Other activities during the winter season at Franklin Square include Chilly Mini Golf (the only mini-golf course in the city, priced at $15 for adults and $12 for children.) Now through Jan. 29, the course will be decked out with lights, seasonal music, and larger-than-life wintertime friends throughout its entirety. The 18-hole game also features reproductions of Philadelphia icons and landmarks, and as a release states, the fun will continue for the month of February when Philly Mini Golf with Love (Feb. 1 – 26) takes over the course.
Philadelphians can also indulge in some bites from Ben’s Sweets and Treats with the menu spanning a variety of hand-crafted cocktails, classic and spiked hot chocolate, mulled wine, seasonal beers, wine, chocolate-covered pretzels, and apple cider doughnuts. Inside the space (which is open until Jan. 8) visitors can also purchase cooking decorating and s’more assembly kits for the nearby firepits.
Square Burger will also be serving up treats both in the daytime and nighttime (through Feb. 26) with new the seasonal additions of turkey burgers (made with homemade stuffing, cranberry mayo, and lettuce served on a brioche roll), a Candy Cane Shake, and homemade soup.
For more information on everything that Historic Philadelphia has to offer, visit historicphiladelphia.org
