The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) will hold its April monthly meeting in person at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks (114 Market St.) on Wednesday, April 12, at 7 pm. Come early for food and drinks! Mercer Museum curator Annie Halliday will present “By Force and Arms: Royal Refugees, the Doan Gang of Bucks County,” a discussion of the notorious Doan gang, their background and activities during the American Revolution.

The Doan gang was a group of British loyalists, the most notorious members being five brothers and one cousin from the Doan family of Plumstead. The gang was composed of around 30 members who were accused murderers, attainted traitors, and horse thieves. They ferried British prisoners of war to British lines and robbed tax collectors, their most famous crime being the theft of the Bucks County treasury in 1781. Events covered include the Loyalist raid of Bird in the Hand and the Battle of Crooked Billet. This lecture is based entirely on contemporary records including court documents, eyewitness accounts, and newspaper appearances.

Annie Halliday joined the Mercer Museum staff in 2019 and currently serves as the Director of Library and Archives of the Mercer Museum Research Library (operated by the Bucks County Historical Society). She received her MLIS from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prior to her work as an archivist and librarian, Annie was a professional stage manager in the Philadelphia area. Her theatrical career includes credits at the Philadelphia Theater Company, the Walnut Street Theater, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Since joining the Mercer Museum, Annie has processed collections for the museum’s archives, built library programs inspired by Bucks County history, managed the library’s research services, and headed up other exciting projects.

Following the presentation will be a short business meeting and some social time.

APT meetings are open to aspiring and working tour guides as well as anyone with an interest in Philadelphia-focused history. Attend one meeting for free and then it is $50 to join the association for the year or $10 per monthly meeting in-person event. Zoom meetings are free. Please join us for convivial company, good food, fascinating presentations, and lively discussions.

The meeting will also be livestreamed on Zoom. The link will be shared in the APT President’s email the week of the meeting.