Curator Josephine Low (Swarthmore ‘27) will give a talk about her exhibit “The Hidden World of Fungi: Mycological Mysteries at Swarthmore & Beyond;” this event will also be livestreamed. Continue reading
Category: walking
Talking with the Dead: Spirits & Spiritualists Tour – October 3, 2026
Can you hear the dead? Journey through Laurel Hill East to uncover Philadelphia’s fascinating Spiritualist past, where mediums, believers, and skeptics sought—or doubted—the possibility of communicating with departed loved ones. Continue reading
Night of Lights 2026 – Multi-day, October 3-5, 2026
A free outdoor public history, architecture, and design exhibition celebrating more than 250 years of history, landscapes, and architecture in Northwest Philadelphia. Continue reading
Fateful Departures: When Death Comes in Twos Tour – October 4, 2026
Step into the past with a cemetery tour that explores the stories of those whose final moments were shared — whether bound by fate, tragedy, or devotion — and now rest together for eternity. Continue reading
Sacred Spaces and Storied Places Tour – October 9, 2026
Discover Laurel Hill West through its breathtaking architecture, lush horticulture, and the unforgettable stories of its residents on this essential introductory tour where every path—and every experience—is different! Continue reading
Hot Spots and Storied Plots Tour – October 10, 2026
In life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia’s most famous home of the dead? Continue reading
True Tales from the Tombs – October 10, 2026
Bearing true stories of mystery and murder, notable Laurel Hill residents return from the dead in these theatrical walking tours featuring a local cast from The Not Ready for After-Life Players. Continue reading
Darkly Departed Tour – October 11, 2026
Sometimes the dearly departed are darkly departed. Continue reading
Game On! In the Archives – October 14, 2026
The Free Library of Philadelphia, in partnership with the Delaware Valley Archivists Group, is hosting a free, interactive community fair featuring pop-up exhibitions, demonstrations, and table-top activities that showcase how sports, games, and play are documented in and catalyzed by archives and special collections. Continue reading
Dearly, Yet Oddly Departed Tour – October 17, 2026
Sometimes a dearly departed soul is an oddly departed soul. Continue reading
Hands on History: Daily Life in the New Nation – October 21, 2026
Join this intimate tour to explore life after the Revolution through getting up close and personal with household artifacts and their archival links. Continue reading
City Archives Behind the Scenes Tour – October 21, 2026
Journey into the stacks and see some neat stuff! Continue reading
Hot Spots and Storied Plots Tour – October 23, 2026
In life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia’s most famous home of the dead? Continue reading
Archives Month Historical Campus Tour – October 24, 2026
Take a guided walking tour behind the 10-foot wall of Girard College, using archival maps and photographs to document the campus’s history and growth Continue reading
Soul Crawl – October 24, 2026
At these annual after-dark tours of Laurel Hill East, hear the storied lives of restless spirits from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Continue reading
Sinners & Scandals: the Seamy Side of Laurel Hill Tour – October 25, 2026
The final resting places of these troubled souls show Laurel Hill East’s scandalous, sinful, and sordid side. Continue reading
Tour of the Chester County Archives – October 29, 2026
Go behind the scenes at Chester County Archives to discover the work behind the records, from preserving historic documents to making Chester County’s history accessible to everyone! Continue reading
Archives Month Tour of Fairmount: Girard College to Eastern State Penitentiary – October 29, 2026
A walking tour through our historic neighborhood, using archival records and photos to explore past and present neighborhood sites. Continue reading
Soul Crawl – October 31, 2026
At these annual after-dark tours of Laurel Hill East, hear the storied lives of restless spirits from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Continue reading
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department: The Raven – October 1, 2025
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. Our October event is all about “The Raven,” Edgar Allan Poe’s poetic masterpiece, and will give guests a chance to view the manuscript up close. Continue reading
Famous Army, Navy and Marine Corps Veterans Historic Tour – October 12, 2025
From land to sea, learn the role of the nation’s founding forces Continue reading
Darkly Departed – October 11, 2025
Sometimes the dearly departed are darkly departed – from killers and thieves to their victims, uncover the dark past of Laurel Hill Continue reading
True Tales from the Tombs – October 11, 2025
Bearing true stories of mystery and murder, notable Laurel Hill residents return from the dead in these theatrical walking tours featuring a local cast from The Not Ready for After-Life Players. Continue reading
Archives Month Historical Campus Tour – October 18, 2025
Take a guided walking tour behind the 10-foot wall of Girard College, looking at the campus as it exists today, along with archival maps and photographs that document its history and growth. Continue reading
Dearly Yet Darkly Departed – October 19, 2025
On this historic tour, uncover the twisted tales of our cemetery residents odd paths to the great beyond. Continue reading
Soul Crawl Nighttime History Tour – October 24 & 25, 2025
At these annual after-dark tours of Laurel Hill East, hear the storied lives of restless spirits from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Continue reading
Sacred Spaces and Storied Places – October 9 & October 25, 2025
Where history and nature connect through stories of Laurel Hill’s permanent residents! Continue reading
Famous Army, Navy and Marine Corps Veterans Historic Tour – October 25, 2025
From land to sea, learn more about the many connections to our nation’s founding forces Continue reading
The Nevermore Tour: Edgar Allan Poe Connections – October 26, 2025
Some say his stories were inspired by the graves and gardens.. on this historic tour you’ll hear tales of Poe’s friends, associates, and foes from our city. Continue reading
Hot Spots and Storied Plots – October 11 & October 31, 2025
In life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia’s most famous home of the dead? Continue reading
Archives Month Campus Tour – October 26, 2024
Take a guided walking tour behind the 10-foot wall of Girard College to explore its history and architecture. Continue reading
Archiving Philadelphia Rowing History – CANCELLED
Join fellow historians for a presentation, discussion and tour of Boathouse Row – the birthplace of American rowing. Continue reading
Revolution Remix – October 28, 2023
A walking tour of Philadelphia through the eyes of South Asian Americans Continue reading
Southwark Rediscovered: A Walking Tour of Historic Queen Village – October 3, 2021
Join the Historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Preservation Corporation on Sunday, Oct. 3, for a walking tour of Philadelphia’s Queen Village neighborhood, led by researcher and writer Michael Schreiber. Continue reading
Night of Lights – Multi-day, 2021
History comes to light in Chestnut Hill with archival images projected through storefront windows, illuminating multiple layers of neighborhood history and spotlighting community stories. Continue reading
Archives Along Girard Avenue: Girard College and the Gesu – October 23, 2021
Join us for a special joint program for a behind-the-scenes and behind-the-walls look at the historic buildings and archival collections of neighboring St. Joseph’s Prep and Girard College. Continue reading
