You may have heard of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams, but have you heard of Tamanend and Tootemastubbe? In this tour, we focus on the many fascinating stories of the nation’s founders in Philadelphia.
We’ll walk on the original plan of the city by William Penn, who landed in 1682 and straightaway had a refreshing pint at Blue Anchor Tavern. At a statue of Tamanend, a leader of the Leni Lenape, we’ll discuss the forging of a peace treaty with William Penn. We’ll see where Benjamin Franklin, alone at the age of 17, deboarded a boat on the Delaware, and wandered the streets of our city for the first time with nothing but a loaf of bread.
Join us in walking in the footsteps of famous founders in Philadelphia!
2 hours. This is an outdoor walking tour; distance will be about 18 city blocks.
6th & Market Streets, at the Independence Visitor Center, Market Street (south) entrance.
We’ll take a look at the First National Bank, founded by Alexander Hamilton, who rescued the US from a financial crisis. We’ll stop outside of Independence Hall, where the Declaration was presented by Jefferson and the Constitution was later shaped by Madison.
Later, at the President’s House, we’ll learn about Tootemastubbe, a Chickasaw chief who became a colonel in Washington’s army, as well as Thayendanegea, a Mohawk leader who represented the interests of the Iroquois. At a statue of George Washington, we’ll consider what was at stake if he didn’t win the Revolutionary War. And at Congress Hall, we’ll see where John Adams took the oath of office as president in a landmark historical moment—our country’s first peaceful transfer of power.
