Campus Architecture & History Tour for Int'l Day of Monuments and Sites

Did you know Philadelphia is home to 67 of the country's 2,618 National Historic Landmarks? On the weekend of April 19, many of Philadelphia's landmarks will offer special events as part of an annual celebration of the International Day of Monuments and Sites (IDMS) organized by the Global Philadelphia Association.

We will be celebrating IDMS with a guided walking tour behind the famous 10-foot wall of Girard College with Director of Historical Resources Kathy Haas. As we stroll around this 43-acre oasis in the middle of the city, we’ll examine the campus as it exists today, along with archival drawings and photographs that document its design, history, and growth.

We'll look at the monumental architecture of Founder’s Hall, a National Historic Landmark, as well as other sites on our campus, all of which is on the National Register. We will also touch on Stephen Girard, the 19th-century multi-millionaire who left his fortune to create a school for financially-disadvantaged children; the generations of students who have lived and learned here (and still do); and the powerful civil rights activism that led to the school’s desegregation.

The tour will begin and end at Founder's Hall. The museum in Founder's Hall is open 10-2, so feel free to come early or stay afterwards to explore the exhibit.

• This walk will cover about 3/4 mile and will include stairs and uneven surfaces
• Because Girard College is an active school, you will quickly check in with security when arriving on campus.
• Parking is available for free on-site; we are also accessible by several bus lines and are a half-mile walk from the Girard Avenue subway stop.
• Check out www.foundershall.org for more information about our programs, collections, and online resources

Host or Publisher Kathy Haas, Director of Historical Resources, Girard College