Philadelphia Trip Planning for Curious Travelers with Dr. Jennie Hirsh
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In this Context Conversation, long-time Philadelphia resident Dr. Jennie Hirsh will introduce learners to the sights and sounds of this dynamic, mid-sized East Coast City. We will talk about the history of the city, how to navigate its layout, and how to find the best food during your stay.
Through a suggested (but modifiable) itinerary, we will focus on art museums, such as the encyclopedic Philadelphia Museum of Art, the world-renowned collection of French painting at the Barnes Foundation, and the media-specific Fabric Workshop as well as smaller museums that are off the beaten track. Likewise, we will visit some of the more historically oriented institutions, such as the Liberty Bell Center, African American Museum, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and the Museum of the American Revolution.
We will discuss culinary hotspots in the city, touching on some of their unique histories as well as more recently established local celebrity chefs and their restaurants as well as smaller, jewel-like coffee houses and the perfect, intimate spots for cocktails and an aperitif during or after a busy day. Particular emphasis will be given to activities that can be done outdoors, given COVID-19 restrictions, with sites like Robert Venturi’s Franklin Court, just one of the many suggestions for local modern and contemporary architectural highlights to explore on foot.
Finally, we will explore a few nearby sites, within an hour of the city, such as Longwood Gardens, George Nakashima Woodworkers, and the Wharton Esherick Museum. From the Rocky Steps and Schuylkill Banks to the Ninth Street Italian Market and Independence Mall, this conversation will prepare participants for the perfect visit to the City of Brotherly Love.
Led by an expert on modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design, Dr. Jennie Hirsh, this Conversation will provide an overview of cultural sites, leisurely activities, and culinary delights in Philly. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with increased excitement about all that Philadelphia has to offer for an action-packed weekend or even longer stays.
Jennie Hirsh (Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College) is a Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She has held postdoctoral fellowships at Princeton and Columbia Universities, as well as pre-doctoral fellowships from the Mrs. Giles Whiting Foundation, the U.S. Fulbright Commission, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, and the Wolfsonian FIU. Hirsh has authored essays on artists including Giorgio de Chirico, Giorgio Morandi, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Yinka Shonibare, and Regina Silveira, and is co-editor, with Isabelle Wallace, of Contemporary Art and Classical Myth (Ashgate 2011).
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Conversation was well organized with lots of specific details and presented by someone who obviously really enjoys her city. Jennie's follow-up content list, which was e-mailed out immediately after Conversation ended, is extremely helpful. It contains everything I would have jotted down if I had taken notes. Normally, my preference is to just listen during Conversation and, once recording is sent out, listen again taking notes. Jennie's list saves me that time-consuming second pass. I wish all Context presenters would do this.
I could not have asked for more from Jennie's presentation.
Excellent presentation. Dr Hirsh has lived in Philadelphia 20+ years and shared a lot of very useful info for planning a trip there. Not only did she bring the city to life, she also saved us much time in researching on our own. Thank you, Jennie!
We've taken several courses with Jennie Hirsh. We have a scheduled trip to Philly in October 2021 and this was quite helpful to galvanize outr thoughts and itinerary. i wish there were other trip planning seminars for major cities.
I have two pages of notes ! Nice to have a PhD give us tips on visiting her city !