Pennsylvania
Signature City Philadelphia
Program No. 10238RJ
Experience the best of Philadelphia’s history and landmarks, as you explore this vibrant city with local experts who provide an insider’s look at its present and past.
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Protecting the Environment
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6 days
5 nights
11 meals
5B 2L 4D
1
Check-In, Registration, Orientation, Dinner, Ben Franklin
Philadelphia, PA
2
American Revolution Museum, Independence Hall & Liberty Bell
Philadelphia, PA
3
Elfreth's Alley, Christ Church, Arch Steet, City Field Trip
Philadelphia, PA
4
18th Century Founders, Constitution Center, Free Time
Philadelphia, PA
5
Lecture, City Hall, Reading Terminal, PMA
Philadelphia, PA
6
A Tale of Two Cities, Program Concludes
Philadelphia, PA
At a Glance
Philadelphia is America’s most remarkable hometown, enriched by centuries of history, heritage, culture and connections. Led by experts, experience its lively diversity as we explore neighborhoods such as Society Hill, Independence National Park and elegant Rittenhouse Square. Learn about the role of civic institutions and architecture of different eras, and savor the flavor of a flourishing dining renaissance. You’ll even meet Ben Franklin himself.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles. Standing on field trips and getting on/off buses and public transportation.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Retrace the footsteps of our Founding Fathers — and Mothers! — from William Penn to Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross as you walk to Old City sites including Independence Hall and Elfreth’s Alley.
- Marvel at distinctive architecture spanning three centuries of achievement on Society Hill, at City Hall and the Masonic Temple.
- Experience the rich tradition of the arts and culture of Philadelphia at a public event.
General Notes
Join us in Philadelphia as we celebrate, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" - 250 years of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Mitchell Kramer
Mitchell Kramer has a B.A. in playwriting from Hampshire College and attended Circle in the Square acting conservatory. He has worked off-Broadway and in regional theater including the New York Theater Workshop and Dorset Theater Festival. He is a costumed Historic Interpreter portraying Benjamin Franklin in Old City Philadelphia. Mitchell has written and produced plays for children and adults and a series of historically accurate stories about 18th century Philadelphia for Historic Philadelphia, Inc. He is on the Board of Directors of Mount Sinai Cemetery.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
John Becton
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Joe Becton was introduced to history by his father, a history teacher in the Philadelphia School District. After attending Philadelphia public schools, he went on to earn associate degrees in social work and social science and a B.A. in history education at the University of West Florida. He is a noted Philadelphia musical artist who performs a repertoire of 19th century spirituals and Civil War songs. He also interprets the styles of music developed by Africans in America and the collision of cultures that created the music we call gospel, jazz and blues. Joe is a retired National Park Service Ranger at Independence National Historical Park.
Tish Byrne
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An artist and historian, Tish Byrne is passionate about all aspects of her native city and its environment after having lived in and led explorations at the Physick House, which belongs to Philadelphia Landmarks. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts later becoming an administrative assistant to the Director of the school. Presently, she leads excursions for the mural arts program, is a docent at Historic Christ Church and leads explorations of Philadelphia landmarks.
Mitchell Kramer
View biography
Mitchell Kramer has a B.A. in playwriting from Hampshire College and attended Circle in the Square acting conservatory. He has worked off-Broadway and in regional theater including the New York Theater Workshop and Dorset Theater Festival. He is a costumed Historic Interpreter portraying Benjamin Franklin in Old City Philadelphia. Mitchell has written and produced plays for children and adults and a series of historically accurate stories about 18th century Philadelphia for Historic Philadelphia, Inc. He is on the Board of Directors of Mount Sinai Cemetery.
Warren Williams
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Warren is a retired architect with over 30 years of experience. Much of his career was spent at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in Philadelphia. In his professional career, he has worked on several historic projects in the Philadelphia region. Warren is an avid photographer of historic buildings and urban streetscapes. He has led groups exploring Philadelphia’s historic architecture and city planning for over 25 years and occasionally lectures on Philadelphia’s historical development.
Lauren Kain
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Lauren Biddle Kain is the site coordinator for Philadelphia Landmarks Road Scholar. She received her BS/BA from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. After marriage and transfer to the San Diego area, she began working at EVENT NETWORK, a leading experiental retail operator, on behalf of cultural attractions such as zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, museums, science centers and other cultural attractions. Lauren and her family now reside in the Philadelphia area. She started working with Road Scholar as a junior Group Leader for Grandparent Programs.
Suggested Reading List
(19 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Signature City Philadelphia
Program Number: 10238
The Liberty Bell (Icons of America)
Philadelphia Then & Now
Rush
Never Caught, The Washington’s Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge
Betsy Ross and the Making of America
Benjamin Franklin by Edmund S. Morgan
Franklin & Washington
William Penn's Holy Experiment
Benjamin Franklin, An American Life
First City: Philadelphia and the Forging of Historical Memory
Miracle At Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention
Philadelphia, A 300 Year History
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West
Philadelphia - Portrait of an American City
Stealing God’s Thunder
Robert Morris, Financier of the American Revolution
Forging Freedom: The Formation of Philadelphia’s Black Community
Autobiography
The Perennial Philadelphians