Philly Fair 250 is taking place on the spot where American history was made! Philadelphia is known as a city of firsts, and one of the most significant first-time events of the 19th century was the first official World’s Fair, which was held in this section of Fairmount Park in 1876. The event was a huge success with nearly 10,000,000 visitors, about the equivalent of one in five Americans at the time.

Join Michael Burch (science educator, community organizer, and founder of the Parkside Journal) and John Sigmund, director of partnerships & sponsorships with Fairmount Park Conservancy for a walking tour retracing the footprint of the 1876 Centennial. We will share old photographs and maps to bring the event back to life, and even visit a few Centennial spots that have survived for 150 years. We’ll highlight the contribution of some important Americans, including: Frederick Douglas, William Still, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and Elizabeth Gillespie – great granddaughter of Ben Franklin!

The tour is open to people of all ages. The walking route is about 1 mile in distance on mostly flat ground, however some sections may be difficult for wheelchairs and strollers.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Meet at the Fairmount Park Conservancy tent at the Philly Fair, located around the intersection of Avenue of the Republic and East Memorial Hall Drive.
• The tour covers roughly two miles on foot. Not all areas will be ADA-accessible.
• Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring your own water and snack (drinking water is not available in the park).
• There are a limited number of bathrooms (porta-potties) available along the walking route so please plan accordingly.
• We will leave a few minutes after the scheduled start time. Please arrive at the departure location at least five minutes early. We cannot guarantee that latecomers can join after the group has departed.
• Important pre-event information and any event updates are sent out via email. Please make sure the email address entered is correct and that you check it before coming out to the event.

PARKING/GETTING THERE: There is plenty of free parking available in the park. As always, never leave valuables in your car! If you are traveling by public transit, the nearest station is at Parkside Ave and 40th Street. The nearest Indego bike station is roughly a half-mile away at the Philadelphia Zoo (1046 North 34th Street).

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: This event will take place in light rain. In the event of heavy rain or other severe conditions, the event will be canceled and attendees are eligible for a full refund.

QUESTIONS? Please reach out to programs@myphillypark.org.

Enjoy our programs? Become a Supporter of Fairmount Park Conservancy to help ensure that Philadelphia’s parks are enhanced for generations to come!