THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.

As part of its 2025 Fall Training Program, 19th Century Growing Pains or We The People… Now What?, the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) is offering a talk about The Parallel Lives of James Forten and Stephen Girard on Sunday, November 16 from 9-10:30 am at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks on the 2nd floor.

This talk, led by Katherine Haas, Director of Historical Resources at Girard College and Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, the Lasry Family Professor of Race Relations and Professor of Sociology and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, will cover Stephen Girard and James Forten, both self-made men who achieved enormous wealth in the maritime trade in Philadelphia during the 19th century. Both were well-regarded by many across racial and social divides, with thousands attending each of their funerals. While both were philanthropic, their causes and reasoning for support differed greatly.

Stephen Girard – merchant, banker and landowner – was the wealthiest man in American when he died in 1831. In an unprecedented act of philanthropy, he left his fortune to establish Girard College, originally endowed to educate “poor, white male orphans.”  This presentation will offer a glimpse into the complex life of America’s first multi-millionaire and illuminate the legacy of a school which has fascinated visitors since the 19th century.

It turns out that besides being parallel, their lives also intersected: Girard did not buy his sails from Forten’s shop, but Forten did business at Girard’s Bank. A check signed by Forten is in the Girard College collection! (image courtesy of Girard College)
Check out the complete training program description to figure out the best combination of events and pricing for you. The full package of a possible 9 events PLUS a full day bus tour to Fairmount Park is ($100/$150/$270), or you may prefer to choose individual tour or lecture events ($15 member/$25 non-member) with or without the full bus day ($50/$70).

Please join us!