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ABOUT APT
The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) was founded in 2008 to bring professional and volunteer guides together, to act as a voice for our membership, and to insure a high quality experience to every visitor to our city. APT, with a membership of about 100, is incorporated as a Pennsylvania non-profit organization.
APT knows that tour guides take great pride in the services they provide those who wish to explore the rich historical, architectural and cultural resources of Philadelphia.
THE HANDBOOK
To promote high professional standards we have created a Tour Guide Training Program and published a Tour Guides Handbook. The Handbook is a basic reference containing concise information on over 180 Philadelphia sites and historic figures, an extensive Philadelphia history timeline, an overview of Philadelphia architectural styles, a glossary of architectural terms and tour guiding tips and techniques. Every Handbook comes with a CD-ROM digital version for handy printing of individual pages and for viewing on computers and e-readers. This digital copy will be updated and added to regularly. The APT Handbook is invaluable not only for all city guides, but for anyone who wants a handy reference to Philadelphia facts.
For more information on the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides Handbook and CD see the Handbook page, or purchase a copy at the APT Store.
TRAINING PROGRAM AND CERTIFICATION
Beginning in February, we are very pleased to offer our highly successful series of lectures on Philadelphia again. As we did last year, we'll follow the series with an exam for those desiring APT Tour Guide Certification. The lecture series is a wonderful overview for both new and seasoned guides and for anyone interested in the city's history. You don't need to be an APT member or even a guide to attend. More information about the program and the certification exam on the TRAINING & CERTIFICATION page on this website.
APT is a valuable resource for tour guides for networking and continuing education.
THE GREAT TWELVE HOUR TOUR 2012
Each year, in order to celebrate the amazing history and cultural resources of the City of Philadelphia and showcase the expertise and dedication of the city's tour guides, APT presents a totally free River-to-River, Rain or Shine, Vine to Pine Great 12 Hour Tour. 2011's Great Tour was an overwhelming success. Click here to see some photos of the day. This year's Great Tour will take place on Saturday, September 8, 2012. Save the date; you have to walk it to believe it!
MEMBERSHIP & MEETINGS
Everyone connected to Philadelphia's thriving hospitality industry is invited to join: docents, site managers, re-enactors, carriage drives, walking tour guides, volunteers and any other parties interested in Philadelphia and its history.
Through its membership in the National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations-USA, APT is able to provide its members access to tour guide liability insurance, discounted fees to attend NFTGA tour guide conferences, and representation for tourism-related legislative affairs at the national level. Beginning in January, APT will sponsor CPR and First Aid classes for city tour guides.
APT is supported by local businesses, museums and venues which offer our members discounts on admissions and products. See the Membership Benefits page for more details.
Throughout the year APT members are invited to special behind the scenes tours of local organizations and sites like City Hall, Fort Mifflin and St. Peter's Church.
APT members meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. See "NEXT MEETING" on this page to the left for the date, time and place. Each meeting begins with a presentation by a guest speaker on topics ranging from 18th century clothing to Victorian magicians, from colonial brewing to current city issues and concerns.
For information on upcoming APT special tours, workshops and speakers, see Upcoming APT Events on this page to the left.
JOIN
You are welcome to join us anytime for convivial company, good food, fascinating presentations and lively discussions. Check our meeting schedule here and feel free to drop in any time. You may join APT for a modest annual fee of $30, payable either in person at a meeting, check or through the APT Store. APT is a growing community of members who care about what they do and the city they live and work in.
Click here to download an APT 2012 brochure and membership form.
THE APT LOGO
Our logo, above, designed by APT board member, artist Del Conner, was adopted in 2009. It features one of the many inventions of Philadelphia's most illustrious citizen, Ben Franklin.
The street lamps in Franklin's day were not very efficient and the glass globes tended to become dark with soot from the oil burned inside, requiring almost daily cleaning. Franklin thought that the problem had to do with a lack of airflow within the globe. In his Autobiography, Franklin says: "I therefore suggested composing them of four flat panes, with a long funnel above to draw up the smoke, and crevices admitting air below, to facilitate the ascent of the smoke; by this means they were kept clean, and did not grow dark in a few hours, as the London lamps do, but continu'd bright till morning."
Franklin's lamp on our logo sheds its light over a geographical and historical panorama of Philadelphia's skyline, from the masts of the ships in the Delaware River, past City Hall and the Comcast Center, to the spectacular Art Museum in Fairmount.
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