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Offered languages
- English
It is June 1863. The Confederate Army is marching into Pennsylvania. If they win the next battle, is Philadelphia next?
Step into the panic of the "Great Scare" on this immersive 2-hour walking tour that treats history like a live crisis. While other tours focus on 1776, we investigate the terrifying summer of 1863, when Philadelphia—the second-largest city in the Union—braced for a Confederate invasion.
Why this tour? This isn't a standard sightseeing walk; it is an investigation into the "what ifs" of the Civil War. Led by an expert guide, you will scrutinize the logistical nightmares and leadership decisions that saved the Union. You will analyze hidden history in plain sight and discover just how close the city—and the nation—came to collapse.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet at the Gen McClellan statue on the North side of City Hall
The tour ends at the back of Independence Hall, at the corner of 6th and Sansom Streets
Itinerary
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1City Hall
See: Stand beneath the massive statue of General George B. McClellan on the north side of City Hall. Learn: We analyze the Union's command structure and the sheer scale of Philadelphia's logistical power. You will learn why the city's rail hub status made it a target, but also why an attack by Lee would have been a logistical nightmare for the Confederates.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
See: View the opulent French Renaissance-style clubhouse of the Union League, founded in 1862. Learn: Discover how this institution became the financial engine of the war effort. We discuss how Philadelphia's wealthy elite funded the regiments that Lee could not defeat, proving that wars are won by economies as much as armies.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
3
See: Walk down the historic "Little Club Row" on Camac Street. Learn: We analyze the connection to the "Great Central Fair" (Sanitary Fair). You will understand how civilian efforts and art exhibitions transformed political decisions—including the push for Emancipation—into tangible war funds and supplies.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
4
See: Stand before the historic Musical Fund Hall. Learn: Discuss this building's role as a center for political activity, including the first Republican National Convention in 1856. We explore how cultural mobilization helped sustain public support for the war when morale was at its lowest.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
See: Stroll through the Physic Gardens of the first hospital in the United States. Learn: We use this stop—the nation's premier medical hub during the 1860s—to analyze the immense logistical and moral dilemma facing Lee's invasion force: what do you do with thousands of wounded men in enemy territory?
10 minutes • Admission ticket included -
6
See: Visit the oldest ground continuously owned by African Americans in the United States. Learn: Understand the powerful role of Philadelphia's free Black community. We discuss the recruitment of Black soldiers (USCT) and the moral political strength that the Confederacy underestimated and could not defeat.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
7Washington Square
See: Walk through this scenic square to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Learn: Few visitors realize this park is a mass grave for thousands of Revolutionary War soldiers. We honor the continuity of sacrifice, linking the struggles of the American Revolution directly to the bloodshed of the Civil War.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Independence Hall
See: The tour concludes in the shadow of the birthplace of the nation. Learn: We connect the chaos of 1863 back to the promises of 1776. We discuss how the Civil War didn't just test the nation—it forged a "more perfect union" by finally securing the abolition of slavery and cementing the Federal power that was born in this very building. Admission Ticket Not Included (Exterior Visit)
15 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
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Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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