Watch the recording on APT’s YouTube Channel.

The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 10, at 7 pm ON ZOOM. The meeting kicks off with a talk by Kim Chantry of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, “Preserving the Legacy of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.” The Philadelphia Historical Commission designated Harper’s Philadelphia house as historic in 2021, based on a nomination authored by Chantry. She will present her research into Harper’s incredible life and achievements, while providing information on the historic designation process and the Historical Commission’s focus on recognizing and preserving landmarks associated with historically underserved communities.

In addition to the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s Kim Chantry, we will also hear one of FEWH’s poems, “Bury Me in a Free Land,” read by actress Trenekia Danielle from Los Angeles.

The life of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper spanned eighty-six eventful years. Her achievements included her activities as a reformer in the anti-slavery movement, in the women’s rights movement, in the temperance movement, and in the civil rights movement of the post-Civil War years. In addition, her poetry and essays are numerous and told of the Black female experience, advocating for equal rights, job opportunities, and education for the Black community. Harper owned the property at 1006 Bainbridge Street, in the Bella Vista neighborhood of South Philadelphia, from 1871 until her death in 1911. She figures prominently in two recent sculptures, one at a Philadelphia police station and one near the Capitol in Harrisburg.

Kim Chantry is a Historic Preservation Planner on the staff of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, a position she has held for nearly nine years. A native of the Philadelphia area, Kim received her MS in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. Her work with the Historical Commission primarily involves reviewing building permit applications for historic properties to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards and processing new nominations to list additional historic resources on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. She authored the nominations which added the Wayne Junction Industrial Historic District to both the National Register and the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.

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.

Discounted rates are being offered for 2022: $25 individual membership and $100 corporate.

Please email to receive the zoom link the day of the event. It will also be provided in the weekly email from the APT President.