UPCOMING EVENTS:
Sunday, September 14 at 1 p.m. – SINNERS AND SCANDALS: THE SEAMY SIDE OF LAUREL HILL CEMETERY -- walking tour at Laurel Hill Cemetery East, 3822 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia PA 19132.
Come join me on a walking tour of that explores the sordid, unsavory side of esteemed Laurel Hill Cemetery East. We all know Laurel Hill has brave military heroes, uplifting reformers, and selfless philanthropists. But what about the less-than-pure spirits? The South Philly gangster who got whacked when he tried to infiltrate the Schuylkill County numbers racket? The female grifter who conned New York City and then sipped strychnine while a dozen bill collectors tried to batter down her door? The Civil War general besmirched as “a slayer of innocence and a robber of chastity”? (No, it’s not George Gordon Meade.) The final resting places of these troubled souls show Laurel Hill East’s scandalous, sinful, and sordid side.
This tour takes place mostly in Laurel Hill’s southern section and involves a LOT of walking. Advance reservations are recommended. For more information or to reserve a place, click here.
Saturday, October 25, 6:00-8:20 p.m. -- SPIRITS OF HISTORIC GERMANTOWN at the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, 200 West Tulpehocken Street, Philadelphia PA 19144.
The historic Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia has always been home to groundbreakers, iconoclasts, and game-changers. Come meet six of them who return from the past to tell you their stories in the beautiful yet eerie atmosphere of the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, a Victorian house museum. There's Johannes Kelpius, the 17th-century mystic who waited for the End of Days on the banks of the Wissahickon Creek; George Lippard, author of the best-selling sensation, The Quaker City or the Monks of Monk Hall, and an early labor leader; William Hunter, the second owner of the Maxwell Mansion, who died mysteriously in New York City; John S. Trower, African-American caterer and restaurateur who used his fortune to found a trade school for Blacks; Sadie Alexander, the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in economics and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and the first African-American woman to practice law in Pennsylvania; and Maggie Kuhn, the indomitable co-founder of the Gray Panthers and a fierce activist for integration, women's rights, and mental health issues. Scripts by Thomas H. Keels and Lawrence M. Arrigale; direction by Mariangela Saavedra of Casabuena Cultural Productions.
The 40-minute tours begin at 6:00 p.m. and leave every 20 minutes. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. For tickets and more information, click here.
Wednesday, October 29 at 5:30 p.m. -- ANNIVERSARY ARCHITECTURE at Carpenters Hall, 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
As we prepare for the semiquincentennial of the founding of the country in 2026, join author and historian Tom Keels and architect James Timberlake from KieranTimberlake from 5:30 to 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 for an exploration of the history of architecture and the country's previous big anniversary celebrations, such as the bicentennial in 1976. Keels will explore how international expositions and other anniversary celebrations changed the physical face of Philadelphia, from Memorial Hall (today the Please Touch Museum) in West Fairmount Park; to the Delaware River Bridge and Sesqui Stadium (later J.F.K. Stadium) in 1926; to the recreation of historic structures like the Declaration House and City Tavern in 1976. In an interactive discussion facilitated by James Timberlake, attendees will formulate their visions for the commemoration of the founding through architecture and the built environment during the nation's tricentennial in 2076.
This event is presented in partnership with Philadelphia250. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Thursday, October 30 at 6:00 p.m. -- Springfield Township Historical Society presents DESIGNING FOR THE DEAD: ART AND ARCHITECTURE AT PHILADELPHIA CEMETERIES at the Flourtown Country Club, 150 McCloskey Road, Flourtown PA 19031.
In Designing for the Dead: Art and Architecture at Philadelphia Cemeteries, Thomas H. Keels explores how the birth of the rural cemetery in Philadelphia provided architects, artists, and sculptors with a novel outdoor laboratory where they could exhibit their works, and experiment with new styles. Such noted architects and artists as John Notman, William Strickland, Alexander Milne Calder, Frank Furness, Horace Trumbauer, and Paul Philippe Cret all created designs for cemetery gatehouses and individual monuments. In some cases, they became "cradle-to-grave" designers for the city's elite. Keels will also illustrate how some of Springfield Township's movers and shakers chose to memorialize themselves at Laurel Hill and other local cemeteries. For more information, click here.
Friday, October 31, at 10 a.m. – HALLOWEEN HOT SPOTS & STORIED PLOTS -- walking tour at Laurel Hill Cemetery East, 3822 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia PA 19132.
Start your Halloween off right with a special Halloween edition of the Hot Spots & Storied Plots tour at Laurel Hill East. In life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia's most famous necropolis? This introductory tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill East's long history, with marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories that give Laurel Hill its WOW factor. We'll also visit some special Halloween haunts, including the resting site of Martha Drinnan, whose headless corpse was found floating on an ice floe in Delaware Bay; the grave of Richard Burr, Civil War surgeon-turned-undertaker-turned-body snatcher; and the mausoleum of Dr. Ellwood Kirby, one of the few victims of graverobbers at Laurel Hill. For more information or to reserve a place, click here.
Saturday, November 8, at 1 p.m. -- MIRACLES ON MARKET STREET at the Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19111.
Thomas H. Keels and Lawrence M. Arrigale are back on the lecture circuit, giving presentations on their book, Philadelphia's Golden Age of Retail. Their presentation, "Miracles on Market Street: How Philadelphia Retailers Celebrated the Holidays," shows how Philadelphia's many department and specialty stores enticed and enchanted holiday shoppers, from the Colonial Easter Village at Lits, to Snellenburg's Mother's Day Flower Show, to Gimbels' Thanksgiving Day Parade, to the Dickens Village at Strawbridge & Clothier and the Christmas Light Show at Wanamaker's! This presentation features dozens of fascinating images from holidays past, but shows how some of Philadelphia’s old traditions still survive today in various locales. For more information, click here.
Tuesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. -- MIRACLES ON MARKET STREET at the Abington Township Public Library, 1030 Old York Road, Abington PA 19001.
Thomas H. Keels and Lawrence M. Arrigale are back on the lecture circuit, giving presentations on their book, Philadelphia's Golden Age of Retail. Their presentation, "Miracles on Market Street: How Philadelphia Retailers Celebrated the Holidays," shows how Philadelphia's many department and specialty stores enticed and enchanted holiday shoppers, from the Colonial Easter Village at Lits, to Snellenburg's Mother's Day Flower Show, to Gimbels' Thanksgiving Day Parade, to the Dickens Village at Strawbridge & Clothier and the Christmas Light Show at Wanamaker's! This presentation features dozens of fascinating images from holidays past, but shows how some of Philadelphia’s old traditions still survive today in various locales. For more information, click here.
Sunday, November 23, at 4:00 p.m. -- DESIGNING FOR THE DEAD: ART AND ARCHITECTURE AT PHILADELPHIA-AREA CEMETERIES at the Rose Valley Museum & Historical Society, 41 Rose Valley Road, Media PA 19063.
In Designing for the Dead: Art and Architecture at Philadelphia Cemeteries, Thomas H. Keels explores how the birth of the rural cemetery in Philadelphia provided architects, artists, and sculptors with a novel outdoor laboratory where they could exhibit their works, and experiment with new styles. Such noted architects and artists as John Notman, William Strickland, Alexander Milne Calder, Frank Furness, Horace Trumbauer, and Paul Philippe Cret all created designs for cemetery gatehouses and individual monuments. In some cases, they became "cradle-to-grave" designers for the city's elite. For more information, click here.
For information on talks, fees, references, etc., please contact Tom via the Contact page on this site or email him at mailto:thkeels@gmail.com.
Come join me on a walking tour of that explores the sordid, unsavory side of esteemed Laurel Hill Cemetery East. We all know Laurel Hill has brave military heroes, uplifting reformers, and selfless philanthropists. But what about the less-than-pure spirits? The South Philly gangster who got whacked when he tried to infiltrate the Schuylkill County numbers racket? The female grifter who conned New York City and then sipped strychnine while a dozen bill collectors tried to batter down her door? The Civil War general besmirched as “a slayer of innocence and a robber of chastity”? (No, it’s not George Gordon Meade.) The final resting places of these troubled souls show Laurel Hill East’s scandalous, sinful, and sordid side.
This tour takes place mostly in Laurel Hill’s southern section and involves a LOT of walking. Advance reservations are recommended. For more information or to reserve a place, click here.
Saturday, October 25, 6:00-8:20 p.m. -- SPIRITS OF HISTORIC GERMANTOWN at the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, 200 West Tulpehocken Street, Philadelphia PA 19144.
The historic Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia has always been home to groundbreakers, iconoclasts, and game-changers. Come meet six of them who return from the past to tell you their stories in the beautiful yet eerie atmosphere of the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, a Victorian house museum. There's Johannes Kelpius, the 17th-century mystic who waited for the End of Days on the banks of the Wissahickon Creek; George Lippard, author of the best-selling sensation, The Quaker City or the Monks of Monk Hall, and an early labor leader; William Hunter, the second owner of the Maxwell Mansion, who died mysteriously in New York City; John S. Trower, African-American caterer and restaurateur who used his fortune to found a trade school for Blacks; Sadie Alexander, the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in economics and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and the first African-American woman to practice law in Pennsylvania; and Maggie Kuhn, the indomitable co-founder of the Gray Panthers and a fierce activist for integration, women's rights, and mental health issues. Scripts by Thomas H. Keels and Lawrence M. Arrigale; direction by Mariangela Saavedra of Casabuena Cultural Productions.
The 40-minute tours begin at 6:00 p.m. and leave every 20 minutes. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. For tickets and more information, click here.
Wednesday, October 29 at 5:30 p.m. -- ANNIVERSARY ARCHITECTURE at Carpenters Hall, 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
As we prepare for the semiquincentennial of the founding of the country in 2026, join author and historian Tom Keels and architect James Timberlake from KieranTimberlake from 5:30 to 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 for an exploration of the history of architecture and the country's previous big anniversary celebrations, such as the bicentennial in 1976. Keels will explore how international expositions and other anniversary celebrations changed the physical face of Philadelphia, from Memorial Hall (today the Please Touch Museum) in West Fairmount Park; to the Delaware River Bridge and Sesqui Stadium (later J.F.K. Stadium) in 1926; to the recreation of historic structures like the Declaration House and City Tavern in 1976. In an interactive discussion facilitated by James Timberlake, attendees will formulate their visions for the commemoration of the founding through architecture and the built environment during the nation's tricentennial in 2076.
This event is presented in partnership with Philadelphia250. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Thursday, October 30 at 6:00 p.m. -- Springfield Township Historical Society presents DESIGNING FOR THE DEAD: ART AND ARCHITECTURE AT PHILADELPHIA CEMETERIES at the Flourtown Country Club, 150 McCloskey Road, Flourtown PA 19031.
In Designing for the Dead: Art and Architecture at Philadelphia Cemeteries, Thomas H. Keels explores how the birth of the rural cemetery in Philadelphia provided architects, artists, and sculptors with a novel outdoor laboratory where they could exhibit their works, and experiment with new styles. Such noted architects and artists as John Notman, William Strickland, Alexander Milne Calder, Frank Furness, Horace Trumbauer, and Paul Philippe Cret all created designs for cemetery gatehouses and individual monuments. In some cases, they became "cradle-to-grave" designers for the city's elite. Keels will also illustrate how some of Springfield Township's movers and shakers chose to memorialize themselves at Laurel Hill and other local cemeteries. For more information, click here.
Friday, October 31, at 10 a.m. – HALLOWEEN HOT SPOTS & STORIED PLOTS -- walking tour at Laurel Hill Cemetery East, 3822 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia PA 19132.
Start your Halloween off right with a special Halloween edition of the Hot Spots & Storied Plots tour at Laurel Hill East. In life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia's most famous necropolis? This introductory tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill East's long history, with marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories that give Laurel Hill its WOW factor. We'll also visit some special Halloween haunts, including the resting site of Martha Drinnan, whose headless corpse was found floating on an ice floe in Delaware Bay; the grave of Richard Burr, Civil War surgeon-turned-undertaker-turned-body snatcher; and the mausoleum of Dr. Ellwood Kirby, one of the few victims of graverobbers at Laurel Hill. For more information or to reserve a place, click here.
Saturday, November 8, at 1 p.m. -- MIRACLES ON MARKET STREET at the Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19111.
Thomas H. Keels and Lawrence M. Arrigale are back on the lecture circuit, giving presentations on their book, Philadelphia's Golden Age of Retail. Their presentation, "Miracles on Market Street: How Philadelphia Retailers Celebrated the Holidays," shows how Philadelphia's many department and specialty stores enticed and enchanted holiday shoppers, from the Colonial Easter Village at Lits, to Snellenburg's Mother's Day Flower Show, to Gimbels' Thanksgiving Day Parade, to the Dickens Village at Strawbridge & Clothier and the Christmas Light Show at Wanamaker's! This presentation features dozens of fascinating images from holidays past, but shows how some of Philadelphia’s old traditions still survive today in various locales. For more information, click here.
Tuesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. -- MIRACLES ON MARKET STREET at the Abington Township Public Library, 1030 Old York Road, Abington PA 19001.
Thomas H. Keels and Lawrence M. Arrigale are back on the lecture circuit, giving presentations on their book, Philadelphia's Golden Age of Retail. Their presentation, "Miracles on Market Street: How Philadelphia Retailers Celebrated the Holidays," shows how Philadelphia's many department and specialty stores enticed and enchanted holiday shoppers, from the Colonial Easter Village at Lits, to Snellenburg's Mother's Day Flower Show, to Gimbels' Thanksgiving Day Parade, to the Dickens Village at Strawbridge & Clothier and the Christmas Light Show at Wanamaker's! This presentation features dozens of fascinating images from holidays past, but shows how some of Philadelphia’s old traditions still survive today in various locales. For more information, click here.
Sunday, November 23, at 4:00 p.m. -- DESIGNING FOR THE DEAD: ART AND ARCHITECTURE AT PHILADELPHIA-AREA CEMETERIES at the Rose Valley Museum & Historical Society, 41 Rose Valley Road, Media PA 19063.
In Designing for the Dead: Art and Architecture at Philadelphia Cemeteries, Thomas H. Keels explores how the birth of the rural cemetery in Philadelphia provided architects, artists, and sculptors with a novel outdoor laboratory where they could exhibit their works, and experiment with new styles. Such noted architects and artists as John Notman, William Strickland, Alexander Milne Calder, Frank Furness, Horace Trumbauer, and Paul Philippe Cret all created designs for cemetery gatehouses and individual monuments. In some cases, they became "cradle-to-grave" designers for the city's elite. For more information, click here.
For information on talks, fees, references, etc., please contact Tom via the Contact page on this site or email him at mailto:thkeels@gmail.com.