Philadelphia’s Black History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. The Benjamin Franklin House site highlights Franklin’s contributions to American independence while also reflecting the complexities of early American society, including its ties to slavery. Though Franklin later became a prominent abolitionist, his earlier involvement with enslaved labor underscores the contradictions within the nation’s founding ideals.

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2. The President's House site in Philadelphia served as the executive mansion for Presidents George Washington and John Adams, where nine enslaved Africans lived and labored under Washington’s presidency. It stands today as a powerful reminder of the contradictions between the nation's founding ideals of freedom and the realities of slavery, honoring the lives of those who resisted bondage.

   Passes by

3. The Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of freedom, was adopted by abolitionists in the 19th century as a rallying cry for the end of slavery. Its inscription, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land," highlighted the contradiction between America’s ideals of liberty and the reality of slavery. Admission is free.

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4. We will pass by Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed, shaping the nation’s foundation. For Black history, it symbolizes both the promise of freedom and the contradictions of a nation built on ideals of liberty while maintaining slavery.

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5. We will pass by Congress Hall in Philadelphia served as the meeting place for the U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800, where pivotal decisions about the nation’s early laws and governance were made. During this time, debates over slavery and the rights of free Black people highlighted the contradictions between the ideals of liberty and the realities of racial inequality in America.

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6. Congo Square in Philadelphia, now known as Washington Square, was a gathering place for free and enslaved African Americans in the 18th century. It served as a site for cultural expression, community building, and resistance, reflecting the resilience and rich heritage of Philadelphia’s Black community.

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7. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll have a chance to pay your respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, which honors the 5,000 Black patriots who fought during the American Revolutionary War.

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8. We will pass by Mother Bethel AME Church, founded in 1794 by Richard Allen, is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the United States and a cornerstone of Black resilience and faith. It served as a spiritual, cultural, and political hub for African Americans, playing a vital role in the fight against slavery and the pursuit of civil rights.

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Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Philadelphia

• Its from-price is 80% below the median of the 266 experiences we list in Philadelphia.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 137 of 266.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Philadelphia

Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's largest city and the birthplace of American independence, with Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, museums and markets.

Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William Penn and was the capital of the United States for a decade in the 1790s. In Independence National Historical Park, Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and the Constitution drafted in 1787, is a World Heritage site, and the Liberty Bell is displayed nearby. Elfreth's Alley, a lane of small 18th-century houses, is among the oldest residential streets in the country.

Top-ranked sights in Philadelphia: Liberty Bell Center, Carpenters' Hall , President's House.

See all 266 experiences in Philadelphia