Architectural tours / heritage interpretation

I love buildings and history. Bake those two and you get an architectural tour guide. For about 8 years, I’ve led walks and tours, exploring the built environment and social history of 19th through 21st century in both Philadelphia and Chicago, for the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia (2019-present), Chicago Architecture Center (2016-19) and the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust (2000-03), and the history of County Cork places of interest for the Skibbereen Walking Group (current).

CURRENT WALKS

Skibbereen Walking Group

Chief Francis O’Neill / Trailebane Walk (90-minute walk through the townland of Trailebane just outside of Bantry, Co. Cork, the homeplace of Chief Francis O’Neill, the Chicago Chief of Police who saved Irish music

PAST TOURS

Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia

Emergence of a Modern Metropolis (120-minute walking tour exploring the development of architecture from the post-Civic War period to the 21st century in Center City Philadelphia — ranging from High Victorian, Beaux Arts and Art Deco to the Mid-century Modernism, Postmodernism and the sculptural contemporary architecture of today)
Art Deco (120-minute walking tour exploring the Art Deco buildings of city center Philadelphia, incl. the ground-breaking WCAU building and Suburban Station)

Art Deco Riverfront Favorites (90-min. tour exploring the Art Deco gems along the banks of the Chicago River—incl. the Carbide and Carbon Building, Chicago Motor Club Building and The Merchandise Mart)
Evolution of the Skyscraper (90-min. tour exploring the development of tall buildings from the 1860s to present day—covering Chicago Commercial Style, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, Postmodern and Contemporary—incl. the Monadnock Building and Willis Tower)
Discovering Chicago’s Historic Neighborhoods (90-min. tour exploring the near-West and near-South side neighborhoods, home of the late 19th and early 20th c. Greek, Italian, Czech and African American communities)

Tours