ON THE AIR:
On October 25, 2024, I was interviewed at Laurel Hill Cemetery by Stephanie Nolan for "The Art of Aging," a feature of 6abc Action News. We talked about why I conduct tours at Laurel Hill, my love of Philadelphia history, the need to remember those who have gone before even if we didn't know them in life, and how much better it is to be above ground at Laurel Hill than below! My "Art of Aging" feature is scheduled to air on Thursday on the 6abc Noon News, with a re-air on Saturday, Nov. 2 on the 7:30 a.m. news. There will also be an online link at https://6abc.com/tag/art-of-aging/.
On October 20, 2020, I gave a Zoom presentation to the Legacy Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia on "Rest in Pieces: Philadelphia's Unquiet Dead." To see the video on YouTube, click here.
I've appeared on several episodes of History Making Productions' Philadelphia: The Great Experiment, but I'm especially proud of the work on their latest episode: "Corrupt (1920 - 1940)." Needless to say, I was able to draw on a lot of material from my books, especially Sesqui! It's viewable on YouTube; click here.
CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE BONEYARD BOOKS ON SHEPHERD.COM!
Recently, I signed on with Shepherd.Com, an alternative to Goodreads that allows readers the option of purchasing books through Bookshop.org as well as Amazon. Bookshop.org receives and fulfills orders for independent booksellers through its online storefront and returns a portion of profits to the bookseller. While the best alternative is to visit and buy from your independent bookstore directly (assuming you have access to one), Bookshop allows online buyers the option of supporting independent sellers.
Just in time for Halloween, you can check out my five favorite boneyard books -- books set in, or dealing withgraveyards and cemeteries. You can also check out my own "Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries." Click here.
On October 25, 2024, I was interviewed at Laurel Hill Cemetery by Stephanie Nolan for "The Art of Aging," a feature of 6abc Action News. We talked about why I conduct tours at Laurel Hill, my love of Philadelphia history, the need to remember those who have gone before even if we didn't know them in life, and how much better it is to be above ground at Laurel Hill than below! My "Art of Aging" feature is scheduled to air on Thursday on the 6abc Noon News, with a re-air on Saturday, Nov. 2 on the 7:30 a.m. news. There will also be an online link at https://6abc.com/tag/art-of-aging/.
On October 20, 2020, I gave a Zoom presentation to the Legacy Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia on "Rest in Pieces: Philadelphia's Unquiet Dead." To see the video on YouTube, click here.
I've appeared on several episodes of History Making Productions' Philadelphia: The Great Experiment, but I'm especially proud of the work on their latest episode: "Corrupt (1920 - 1940)." Needless to say, I was able to draw on a lot of material from my books, especially Sesqui! It's viewable on YouTube; click here.
CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE BONEYARD BOOKS ON SHEPHERD.COM!
Recently, I signed on with Shepherd.Com, an alternative to Goodreads that allows readers the option of purchasing books through Bookshop.org as well as Amazon. Bookshop.org receives and fulfills orders for independent booksellers through its online storefront and returns a portion of profits to the bookseller. While the best alternative is to visit and buy from your independent bookstore directly (assuming you have access to one), Bookshop allows online buyers the option of supporting independent sellers.
Just in time for Halloween, you can check out my five favorite boneyard books -- books set in, or dealing withgraveyards and cemeteries. You can also check out my own "Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries." Click here.
"Contractor Bosses" on The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia
My second essay for the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia was posted this week: Contractor Bosses (1880s-1930s), a look at how Philadelphia's contractor kings dominated the city from the period of the building of City Hall until the Great Depression. Another opportunity for me to put to use the mass of information on the Vare Brothers, "Sunny Jim" McNichol, Boies Penrose, and all the other colorful characters I learned about while writing Sesqui! To read the essay, click here: philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/contractor-bosses-1880s-to-1930s/.
My essay on Laurel Hill Cemetery, my home away from home, was posted on the web site in 2013 (to read it, click here). The page also features a gallery of historic images of Laurel Hill, many from the cemetery's own archives. Take some time to check out this fascinating and worthwhile web site, which is growing all the time. You can even suggest topics to include!
My essay on Laurel Hill Cemetery, my home away from home, was posted on the web site in 2013 (to read it, click here). The page also features a gallery of historic images of Laurel Hill, many from the cemetery's own archives. Take some time to check out this fascinating and worthwhile web site, which is growing all the time. You can even suggest topics to include!
The first time I saw Laurel Hill...
On August 13, 2011, I was asked to be one of the speakers commemorating the 175th anniversary of Philadelphia's historic Laurel Hill Cemetery. In the YouTube video below, I recount my first, chilly encounter with the Victorian necropolis, and how our relationship has warmed over the years.
Tom the Talking Head on PBS39's "Philly Firsts."
Here's a brief glimpse of me, discussing Philadelphia history alongside such luminaries as Mayor Michael Nutter and John Andrew Gallery in a trailer for "Philly Firsts," Grover Silcox's wonderful documentary on the Quaker City, which debuted on PBS39 in June 2011 (don't worry, there's more of me in the full program!).