Our tours capture Philadelphia’s unique place in American history as the birthplace of religious freedom and democracy.
Email tours@dialogueinstitute.org to book today!
NEW! Religion and the Fight for American Freedom
Tour Guides: Kime Lawson and John Bright
Topics covered: This two-hour walking tour explores religious themes surrounding the fight for freedom in the American Revolution. It highlights how various religious groups responded to the Revolution. Anglicans were divided over their loyalty to King George III. Some Quakers, like Samuel Nichols, rejected the pacifism of their faith to take up arms. Presbyterians enthusiastically volunteered themselves to the patriot cause, and minority groups such as Jews and Catholics also cast their future lot with the rebel movement. The tour will also discuss the growing consensus of the Founding Fathers around the disestablishment of religion, the origins of human rights, the role of virtue in civil society, and the ways many Americans viewed the Revolution as having a divine purpose.
Sites included: Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary Soldier, Free Quaker Meetinghouse, Independence Hall, New Hall Military Museum, Christ Church, Carpenters Hall, burial site of Samuel Nichols, and more.
This tour is being offered free of charge to veterans and current members of the U.S. military, in partnership with the Funders Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial. Non-military members/veterans are invited to make a $25 donation.
Contact us via email at tours@dialogueinstitute.org for more information!
Custom Tours and Learning Experiences
Our tours can be customized to specific themes, time periods, topics, or regions of the city. Extended versions of tours can be conducted over multiple days or weeks and can incorporate lectures by local scholars, dialogue training, and facilitated dialogue experiences with local communities. Programs can be adapted for a variety of groups (high school, college, older adults, academics, religious, etc.)
We also work with members of our Dialogue Institute Network to conduct tours and learning experiences across the U.S. and around the world.
Popular Tour Offerings
“A very informative tour that kept everyone’s sharp attention all the way through. Dr. Krueger is an excellent teacher as well as a tour guide. He kept us involved by asking questions, and allowed other people to make comments. Our group looks forward to another tour in the future! ”
Dialogue Institute Tour Guide Training Program
We are looking to engage a handful of high quality guides who will be equipped to offer tours and participate in our other public engagement initiatives leading up to the America 250 celebrations in 2026.
Please fill out the following form to be contacted by Dr. David Krueger with additional information and possible next steps.
First Amendment Monument on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall.
Walking tour of Harlem, New York with local Muslim leaders.
Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.
Visit to a Tibetan Buddhist Community in Philadelphia.
Historic Riverside Church in New York City.
Latter Day Saints Temple in Philadelphia.