The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) kicks off its next monthly meeting on Wednesday September 13 at 7 pm with a talk by Lisa Minardi, executive director of Historic Trappe and the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies, “Germans in the Quaker City: Ethnicity, Religion, and Material Life in Early Philadelphia.” Come early for dinner and drinks! The meeting will be held in person at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks, 114 Market Street, and also offered on Zoom.

Lisa will share a preview of research from her dissertation focusing on German-speaking immigrants in early Philadelphia. Germans accounted for nearly half of the city’s population in 1760, and German Lutherans were the largest religious denomination in the so-called Quaker City. The recovery of Philadelphia’s German-speaking residents offers an alternative history of immigration, settlement, and everyday life in early America. German-speaking people played a major role in the formation of Philadelphia’s – and ultimately America’s – complex, multiethnic, polyglot identity. Conversely, life in a capital city and bustling seaport differentiated the Philadelphia Germans from their non-urban counterparts.

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.