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  1. #1
    Dandelions is offline Purveyor Of Glitter
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    Default North Philly Tours?

    A few years ago I did an architectural walking tour of North Philly (mostly around Temple U) and it was amazing. We even went inside one of the old mansions and a couple of churches around there.

    I want to do it again, but don't remember how/where I got tickets for it. Does anyone know anything about them?

  2. #2
    phillysw is offline Senior Member
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    That sounds really interesting. I'd definitely be interested, if you find out.

    This is only a vaguely related story, but about five years ago I got a summer internship through a local foundation. They partnered with various nonprofits, one of which was the Horticultural Society. They gave all of us interns a tour of cleaned-up vacant lots and community gardens in North Philly--pretty cool, except we drove through some of the worst neighborhoods in a tourist trolley, complete with a tour guide yammering away on the loudspeaker! The residents looked at us like we were nuts. It was a little surreal.

  3. #3
    Mahdoumi's Avatar
    Mahdoumi is offline Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by phillysw View Post
    That sounds really interesting. I'd definitely be interested, if you find out.

    This is only a vaguely related story, but about five years ago I got a summer internship through a local foundation. They partnered with various nonprofits, one of which was the Horticultural Society. They gave all of us interns a tour of cleaned-up vacant lots and community gardens in North Philly--pretty cool, except we drove through some of the worst neighborhoods in a tourist trolley, complete with a tour guide yammering away on the loudspeaker! The residents looked at us like we were nuts. It was a little surreal.
    Busted out laughing at the image . . . !

    I'd also be interested in an architectural tour.

  4. #4
    NJbound is offline Senior Member
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    yea thats what I want. A tour of north philly

  5. #5
    Hospitalitygirl's Avatar
    Hospitalitygirl is offline Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by NJbound View Post
    yea thats what I want. A tour of north philly
    You know, you have to look past some of the neglect and decay, and see it through your mind's eye AFTER some TLC is applied. The architecture is beautiful. 16th St has some of my favorite structures, tastes and decorations notwithstanding.
    I am not the Jackass Whisperer.

  6. #6
    Swinefeld's Avatar
    Swinefeld is offline That was filthy!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl View Post
    You know, you have to look past some of the neglect and decay, and see it through your mind's eye AFTER some TLC is applied. The architecture is beautiful. 16th St has some of my favorite structures, tastes and decorations notwithstanding.
    Right. North Philadelphia does have some interesting architecture but don't expect someone called "NJ Bound" to understand that.
    Philly people, learn your history.

  7. #7
    NJbound is offline Senior Member
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    I agree. the buildings are.. The people are not..

    actually swine, I am an engineer, so I do appreciate beautiful architecture.. and probably 'understand it' more then yourself.. Its the people who are not so pleasant to visit

    Quote Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl View Post
    You know, you have to look past some of the neglect and decay, and see it through your mind's eye AFTER some TLC is applied. The architecture is beautiful. 16th St has some of my favorite structures, tastes and decorations notwithstanding.
    Last edited by NJbound; 09-29-2009 at 08:48 AM.

  8. #8
    PHLxVGN is offline Senior Member
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    NJbound, have you talked to any people from North Philly? That's a pretty awful thing to say about the hundreds of thousands of people living there....

  9. #9
    Hospitalitygirl's Avatar
    Hospitalitygirl is offline Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by PHLxVGN View Post
    NJbound, have you talked to any people from North Philly? That's a pretty awful thing to say about the hundreds of thousands of people living there....
    Hundreds of thousands is a bit on the high side, no?
    I am not the Jackass Whisperer.

  10. #10
    NJbound is offline Senior Member
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    my apologies to the good people who do live there(and there are) but the bad one overshadow the good ones. Have you walked thru North Philly by yourself?? Do you think its a safe thing to do? of course not. Now do you understand where I come from??

    Quote Originally Posted by PHLxVGN View Post
    NJbound, have you talked to any people from North Philly? That's a pretty awful thing to say about the hundreds of thousands of people living there....

  11. #11
    OutOfContext's Avatar
    OutOfContext is offline Internet Jerk
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    I have not witnessed one positive thing every being said by NJbound, and it makes me wonder just why he/she continues to post on this board. Do they not have a NJspeaks.com?

  12. #12
    PHLxVGN is offline Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by NJbound View Post
    my apologies to the good people who do live there(and there are) but the bad one overshadow the good ones. Have you walked thru North Philly by yourself?? Do you think its a safe thing to do? of course not. Now do you understand where I come from??
    Yes, I've walked through many North Philly blocks while doing outreach, have numerous friends between Kensington and Nicetown, and have been out past sundown. If I didn't luck out and find the one building owner in Center City who didn't care about making a profit, then I would be living up on Front near Dauphin.

    If you've got your wits about you and aren't making yourself an easy victim, then things most likely will be OK. It helps to NOT look down upon those living in the area your walking through, too. Make eye contact, say hi. Most of those living in North Philly are families that are just as saddened by the crime and violence as you are.

  13. #13
    PHLxVGN is offline Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl View Post
    Hundreds of thousands is a bit on the high side, no?
    I guess that depends on each definition of North Philly. This site shows just over 260,000.

  14. #14
    NJbound is offline Senior Member
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    apparently you have not read all my posts. Sorry if I speak the truth. Not trying to piss anyone off.. I just speak the truth. (in all honestly I was making light posting in this thread but I guess you did not get it.)
    Sorry if I offended anyone.,..

    Quote Originally Posted by OutOfContext View Post
    I have not witnessed one positive thing every being said by NJbound, and it makes me wonder just why he/she continues to post on this board. Do they not have a NJspeaks.com?

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    Jaysmom is offline Senior Member
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    Bump

  16. #16
    Dandelions is offline Purveyor Of Glitter
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    I got in touch with who I think used to do the tours-Preservation Alliance-and they have discontinued them :-( Maybe I can convince them there is a huge interest?

    And to reply a bit to the above, the tour did go down 16th St and inside what I think is part of the Divine Lorraine people's (their name is totally escaping me right now) property. From inside and upstairs, you can look over part of North Philly and see crumbling mansions with turrets, skylights, etc. It was amazing.

    I'll post if I find any more information.

  17. #17
    Swinefeld's Avatar
    Swinefeld is offline That was filthy!
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    Quote Originally Posted by NJbound View Post
    I agree. the buildings are.. The people are not..

    actually swine, I am an engineer, so I do appreciate beautiful architecture.. and probably 'understand it' more then yourself.. Its the people who are not so pleasant to visit
    Really? An "engineer"? What kind, highway, structural, etc.? Are you a PE? Do you have an AICP degree? I work for an engineering company here in Philly so I'm curious. And I would think an architect would "understand" architecture more than an engineer. Also I don't think you need any kind of degree to appreciate great architecture anymore than you need a masters degree in art to appreciate fine art. Otherwise art museums would be practically empty.
    Philly people, learn your history.

  18. #18
    NJbound is offline Senior Member
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    if you must know I am a PE (Professional Engineer), build building for a living and have been for 25 years.. any more questions?

  19. #19
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    Default Harlem

    Quote Originally Posted by Mahdoumi View Post
    Busted out laughing at the image . . . !

    I'd also be interested in an architectural tour.
    There are tours of Harlem
    Harlem Tours - Sightseeing Bus Tours of Harlem from New York City Why not Nort Philly

  20. #20
    cwd22 is offline Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by jazzsinger59 View Post
    There are tours of Harlem
    Harlem Tours - Sightseeing Bus Tours of Harlem from New York City Why not Nort Philly
    Harlem's seen some extreme gentrification recently. There's even an American Apparel on 125th St, so I don't think you can really compare it to North Philly anymore.

 

 

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