The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) is honored to have Stephen Fried as guest speaker on Wednesday, October 12, at 7 pm at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks, 114 Market Street. (Come at 6 pm for dinner and drinks!) Stephen is an award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author who teaches at Columbia University and at the University of Pennsylvania. His book Rush: Revolution, Madness, and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father is the subject of the evening. 

It promises to be a fascinating talk on the heels of our own modern day pandemic. In his own plug for the talk, Stephen says that what is narrated in the book is likely quite a bit different from what guides have been telling visitors about Yellow Fever. “The disinformation on this subject is substantial.” In preparation, he suggests reading:

** His expanded excerpt Yellow Fever Stalks the Founders on American Heritage 

** Penn Libraries’ Benjamin Rush Portal which offers immediate and free access to all the original writings on the subject, including all of Rush’s letters, annotated, from the epidemic.

** The book is available at Head House Books , Amazon, and Apple Books

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.