The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) kicks off its next monthly meeting on Wednesday August 9 at 7 pm with a talk, “Edgar Allan Poe in Philadelphia.” Come early for dinner and drinks! Presenting is Edgar Allan Poe House park ranger Steve Medeiros. The meeting will be held in person at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks, 114 Market Street, and also offered on Zoom. His presentation will focus on why Poe chose to come to Philadelphia, which at the time was a major center for publishing in America; where he worked; and what he accomplished while he was here. Steve will also share some Poe artifacts from his personal collection. Read a Hidden City article about Poe’s legacy in Philadelphia (with quotes from Steve) here, and a blog post on the Poe house by APT’s own Jim Murphy here.

Steve is a native of the Delaware Valley with a passion for history. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and an Associates degree in music. He has worked as an interpreter at Pennsbury Manor and Historic Fallsington. He has spent over 20 years as a park ranger at Independence National Historical Park and most recently the Edgar Allan Poe House National Historical Site in Philadelphia. He also spent a summer as an archaeological excavator in Chelmsford, England. He currently works as an interpreter at the Walt Whitman House in Camden, New Jersey.

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.