Resilience and Revolution: A Guide to Philadelphia’s Black History

(11 reviews)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania audio tour: Resilience and Revolution: A Guide to Philadelphia’s Black History

This is a 1.7mi walking tour

It takes an average of 75 mins to complete.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The United States

$14.99

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About the Tour

Philadelphia is known as the foundation of the nation. Its identity was shaped by the contributions of Black Americans whose stories go untold. On this walking tour, you’ll hear their powerful and inspiring stories.

Starting on the corner of Front and Market Streets, you’ll venture into Old Philadelphia. At the President’s House site, I’ll tell you about the lives of enslaved individuals who sought freedom, including Ona Judge, whose escape defied the odds. You’ll see iconic landmarks like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and discover their connections to Black Americans’ fight for freedom and justice. You’ll stroll through Washington Square, once a burial ground for free and enslaved individuals, and reflect on the resilience of those who endured and resisted oppression.

The tour ends on the corner of 4th and Chestnut Streets, outside the former site of Joseph and Amy Cassey’s barbershop. They were prominent African-American activists and leaders during the 1800s. You’ll hear about their role within the city and how they contributed to the abolition of slavery.

On this 75-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:

Dive deeper into Philadelphia’s history at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the birthplace of a faith-based movement that empowered Black communities
Hear stories of the brave abolitionists, unsung heroes, and everyday people who made a lasting impact on the city
Take in the Fragments of Franklin Court, what’s left of Benjamin Franklin’s former home
Learn about the unmarked graves of Yellow Fever victims at Congo Square, now Washington Square
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
Reflect on how the 1842 Lombard Street Riot, became a rallying point for change

This Black history tour offers a unique and engaging way to explore the city’s rich heritage. Walk in the footsteps of those who lived through struggle and triumph, and connect with Philadelphia’s legacy in a profound and personal way.

This isn’t just a tour — it’s a celebration of resilience, a deep dive into history, and a must-do experience for anyone visiting Philadelphia.

Tour Producer

The Black Journey

2 tours

We are an independent, Black woman–owned walking tour company rooted in Philadelphia and committed to telling Black history with depth, care, and context. Founded in 2019, we began by offering live, in-person walking tours in Old City Philadelphia, centering stories that are often overlooked, erased, or simplified.

Since then, our work has grown to include five live guided tours across the city, each grounded in rigorous research, community memory, and place-based storytelling. To make these histories more accessible, we’ve expanded into audio experiences that allow listeners to engage with Black history on their own time, at their own pace.

For the past four years, our founder has lived between Philadelphia and Chicago, building deep, lived relationships with both cities and their histories. That dual residency directly informs our work, allowing us to approach each tour with local knowledge, cultural fluency, and care rather than a tourist lens.

We currently offer two self-guided audio tours in Philadelphia, with our newest audio tour launching in Chicago, continuing our mission to document Black life, resistance, culture, and innovation across cities shaped by migration and movement.

Our tours are designed for curious locals, intentional travelers, educators, and lifelong learners seeking history that is honest, nuanced, and rooted in the lived experiences of Black communities.

Preview Location

Location 3

The President's House

To your left, you should see a partially built house. Walk up the marble step and enter the door. You have entered the President's house. Stop here please.

This is where the first two presidents of the United States lived while the federal government was located in Philade... To your left, you should see a partially built house. Walk up the marble step and enter the door. You have entered the President's house. Stop here please.

This is where the first two presidents of the United States lived while the federal government was located in Philadelphia from 1790 to 1800. This house was built in 1767 and owned by Robert Morris. Robert Morris was originally from England, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and was the main financier of the American Revolution. How did Robert Morris become so wealthy that he was able to finance a revolution and lend a mansion grand enough to be the president’s house? Robert Morris shipped, traded and auctioned. That’s right, he was a slaver and trafficker of human beings. I want to emphasize the point the that revolution was paid for off the backs of enslaved people of African descent.

During his presidency, George Washington brought 9 enslaved individuals to this property. Austin, Paris, Hercules, Christopher Sheels, Richmond, Giles, Ona Judge, Moll and Joe. Ona Judge was a young woman brought to Philadelphia from Mt. Vernon when she was about 15 years old. One day in 1794, First Lady Martha Washington approached Ona and instructed her to pack her belongings, as she was to be given to Martha’s granddaughter as a wedding present. However, before the wedding could take place, Ona makes her triumphant escape to freedom from the President’s house, just where you are standing. Ona travels six blocks east to the banks of the Delaware River and boards a ship called The Nancy. She makes her way to Portsmouth, New Hampshire where she lives as a free person for the first time in her life. She is walking down the street one day in Portsmouth when she is recognized by a Washington family friend. The Washington’s were promptly told about Ona’s whereabouts. George made a plan to kidnap Ona. Luckily, she was tipped off in advance and went into hiding until the coast was clear. She had to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life not knowing when George was coming after her.

Hercules was a chef brought to this house from Mt. Vernon, he was known for wearing elegant clothing and making delicious food. After Ona made her escape in 1794, Hercules was sent back to Mt. Vernon, so that he wouldn’t get any ideas to escape. Hercules was sent out into the fields for hard labor. He bid his time and on February 21, 1796, Hercules made his escape. This date happened to be George Washington’s 65th birthday. Hercules made a clean escape and the Washington’s were never able to find him.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to visit the exhibits. Once you are finished, please exit to the left of the President’s house, make a right when you get to the brick path and follow it. You should be walking alongside a long building to your right. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Fragments of Franklin Court
President's House Site
Liberty Bell
Independence Hall
Congress Hall
Washington Square
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

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Getting There

Route Overview

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Start location
221 Church St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
Total distance

3km
Final location
99-51 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
Distance back to start location

461.3m

Directions to Starting Point

The tour starts on the southeast corner of Front and Market Streets in Old City.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

There are several places you can stop along the route.

Best time of day

The tour is best done during the day, during regular operating hours.

Precautions

Like any big city keep alert and watch your surroundings. Please only cross the street when it safe. Also please watch where your step. There are many uneven pavements and the paving materials may be several hundred years old.

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“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”