International Day of Monuments and Sites is celebrated around the globe every year, including in Philadelphia.
Taking place this year on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, the event was created to honor heritage, diversity, community, and the environment in different parts of the world through free or discounted guided tours, special events, and self-guided exploration.
Philly’s version — curated by Global Philadelphia — will feature two days of activations at 67 different National Historic Landmarks around the area.
“International Day of Monuments and Sites is a moment to celebrate and reflect on the incredible heritage that surrounds us here in Philadelphia,” said Zabeth Teelucksingh, President of Global Philadelphia Association.
“It’s a chance for neighbors and friends to come together, explore the remarkable landmarks in our own backyards, and appreciate their global significance. We invite everyone to take part in this day—walk through history, connect with the stories that shaped our city, and be part of the ongoing effort to protect and preserve these treasures for generations to come.”
Friday’s schedule varies, but some highlights include an open house at Woodford Mansion (2300 N. 33rd St.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and tours of Independence Hall (Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th streets) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Saturday, the jam-packed schedule features stops all around the City of Brotherly Love. Locals can join in on a program honoring Revolutionary War patriots at Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Ave.) from 1 to 3 p.m., or head to Junior Ranger Day at Independence National Historical Park (Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets.) The occasion will feature family-friendly activities that showcase what park staff and partners do to protect this nation’s historic places from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
April 19 also holds the Architecture Adventures Open House at Founder’s Hall (2101 S. College Ave.) From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public can explore this historic site for free (though registration is encouraged online through Eventbrite.) Saturday will also feature a fan favorite event—the Stamp Rally and Scavenger Hunt Contest Kickoff at Johnson House Historic Site (6306 Germantown Ave.) where guests can join the “hunt” to find a specific feature at Johnson House’s Green Space
This event also gives insight into the Historic Germantown stamp rally booklet, which was created for visitors to find and discover all of the greenspaces in the Historic Germantown consortium. Through the booklet, locals can explore parks, arboreta, farms, cemeteries, gardens, and landscaped grounds. When guests visit each site, they collect a stamp (that is original to that specific venue), all of which live in a designated “stamp house” at each individual site. Guests who collect 10 or more stamps are eligible to win prizes.
A few more highlights of International Day of Monuments and Sites include tours of Mother Bethel AME Church (419 S. 6th St) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and free tours at the Stenton Museum (4601 North 18th St.) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 19. With the former, visitors can learn about the church’s foundational role in African American history and its continued impact today, and with the latter, guests can explore one of Philadelphia’s earliest and most authentic historic homes. Those who wish to head to Stenton can guarantee a tour time by reserving in advance online, by phone (215-329-7312) or by email (programs@stenton.org.)
Other sites participating this year span the Arch Street Meeting House, Carpenters’ Hall, Eastern State Penitentiary, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Johnson House, Wyck and more. A full list of stops can be found online.
For additional events and to learn more about Global Philadelphia’s involvement in International Day of Monuments and Sites visit, globalphiladelphia.org.
