General Lee Attacks Philadelphia An Alternative History Tour
Philly's Hidden History Vault
It is June 1863. The Confederate Army is marching into Pennsylvania. If they win the next battle, is Philadelphia next? Step into the panic of the "Great Scare" on this immersive 2-hour walking tour that treats history like a live crisis. While other tours focus on 1776, we investigate the terrifying summer of 1863, when Philadelphia—the second-largest city in the Union—braced for a Confederate invasion. Why this tour? This isn't a standard sightseeing walk; it is an investigation into the "what ifs" of the Civil War. Led by an expert guide, you will scrutinize the logistical nightmares and leadership decisions that saved the Union. You will analyze hidden history in plain sight and discover just how close the city—and the nation—came to collapse.
Departure Point
- Meet at the Gen McClellan statue on the North side of City Hall
Return Details
- The tour ends at the back of Independence Hall, at the corner of 6th and Sansom Streets
Duration
2 hours
Languages Available
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107
See: Stand beneath the massive statue of General George B. McClellan on the north side of City Hall. Learn: We analyze the Union's command structure and the sheer scale of Philadelphia's logistical power. You will learn why the city's rail hub status made it a target, but also why an attack by Lee would have been a logistical nightmare for the Confederates.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Union League of Philadelphia
140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
See: View the opulent French Renaissance-style clubhouse of the Union League, founded in 1862. Learn: Discover how this institution became the financial engine of the war effort. We discuss how Philadelphia's wealthy elite funded the regiments that Lee could not defeat, proving that wars are won by economies as much as armies.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Philadelphia Sketch Club
235 S Camac St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See: Walk down the historic "Little Club Row" on Camac Street. Learn: We analyze the connection to the "Great Central Fair" (Sanitary Fair). You will understand how civilian efforts and art exhibitions transformed political decisions—including the push for Emancipation—into tangible war funds and supplies.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: 808 Locust St
808 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
See: Stand before the historic Musical Fund Hall. Learn: Discuss this building's role as a center for political activity, including the first Republican National Convention in 1856. We explore how cultural mobilization helped sustain public support for the war when morale was at its lowest.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Pennsylvania Hospital - Historic Tours
800 Spruce St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See: Stroll through the Physic Gardens of the first hospital in the United States. Learn: We use this stop—the nation's premier medical hub during the 1860s—to analyze the immense logistical and moral dilemma facing Lee's invasion force: what do you do with thousands of wounded men in enemy territory?
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church
See: Visit the oldest ground continuously owned by African Americans in the United States. Learn: Understand the powerful role of Philadelphia's free Black community. We discuss the recruitment of Black soldiers (USCT) and the moral political strength that the Confederacy underestimated and could not defeat.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Washington Square
210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106
See: Walk through this scenic square to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Learn: Few visitors realize this park is a mass grave for thousands of Revolutionary War soldiers. We honor the continuity of sacrifice, linking the struggles of the American Revolution directly to the bloodshed of the Civil War.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street, Between 5th and 6th Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See: The tour concludes in the shadow of the birthplace of the nation. Learn: We connect the chaos of 1863 back to the promises of 1776. We discuss how the Civil War didn't just test the nation—it forged a "more perfect union" by finally securing the abolition of slavery and cementing the Federal power that was born in this very building. Admission Ticket Not Included (Exterior Visit)
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Walking tour
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Philly's Hidden History Vault in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
It is June 1863. The Confederate Army is marching into Pennsylvania. If they win the next battle, is Philadelphia next? Step into the panic of the "Great Scare" on this immersive 2-hour walking tour that treats history like a live crisis. While other tours focus on 1776, we investigate the terrifying summer of 1863, when Philadelphia—the second-largest city in the Union—braced for a Confederate invasion. Why this tour? This isn't a standard sightseeing walk; it is an investigation into the "what ifs" of the Civil War. Led by an expert guide, you will scrutinize the logistical nightmares and leadership decisions that saved the Union. You will analyze hidden history in plain sight and discover just how close the city—and the nation—came to collapse.
Departure Point
- Meet at the Gen McClellan statue on the North side of City Hall
Return Details
- The tour ends at the back of Independence Hall, at the corner of 6th and Sansom Streets
Duration
2 hours
Languages Available
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107
See: Stand beneath the massive statue of General George B. McClellan on the north side of City Hall. Learn: We analyze the Union's command structure and the sheer scale of Philadelphia's logistical power. You will learn why the city's rail hub status made it a target, but also why an attack by Lee would have been a logistical nightmare for the Confederates.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Union League of Philadelphia
140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
See: View the opulent French Renaissance-style clubhouse of the Union League, founded in 1862. Learn: Discover how this institution became the financial engine of the war effort. We discuss how Philadelphia's wealthy elite funded the regiments that Lee could not defeat, proving that wars are won by economies as much as armies.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Philadelphia Sketch Club
235 S Camac St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See: Walk down the historic "Little Club Row" on Camac Street. Learn: We analyze the connection to the "Great Central Fair" (Sanitary Fair). You will understand how civilian efforts and art exhibitions transformed political decisions—including the push for Emancipation—into tangible war funds and supplies.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: 808 Locust St
808 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
See: Stand before the historic Musical Fund Hall. Learn: Discuss this building's role as a center for political activity, including the first Republican National Convention in 1856. We explore how cultural mobilization helped sustain public support for the war when morale was at its lowest.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Pennsylvania Hospital - Historic Tours
800 Spruce St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See: Stroll through the Physic Gardens of the first hospital in the United States. Learn: We use this stop—the nation's premier medical hub during the 1860s—to analyze the immense logistical and moral dilemma facing Lee's invasion force: what do you do with thousands of wounded men in enemy territory?
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church
See: Visit the oldest ground continuously owned by African Americans in the United States. Learn: Understand the powerful role of Philadelphia's free Black community. We discuss the recruitment of Black soldiers (USCT) and the moral political strength that the Confederacy underestimated and could not defeat.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Washington Square
210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106
See: Walk through this scenic square to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Learn: Few visitors realize this park is a mass grave for thousands of Revolutionary War soldiers. We honor the continuity of sacrifice, linking the struggles of the American Revolution directly to the bloodshed of the Civil War.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street, Between 5th and 6th Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See: The tour concludes in the shadow of the birthplace of the nation. Learn: We connect the chaos of 1863 back to the promises of 1776. We discuss how the Civil War didn't just test the nation—it forged a "more perfect union" by finally securing the abolition of slavery and cementing the Federal power that was born in this very building. Admission Ticket Not Included (Exterior Visit)
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Walking tour
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Philly's Hidden History Vault in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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