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Attending

Industrious at Fashion District

“People really tuned in. They were super curious.” – Meredith

“I’ve been loving your history pop ups.”  – Michael

“We loved listening and learning about Philly history under the beautiful cherry tree!” – Patti

What is a history pop up?

Philly History Pop Ups are fun, often free gatherings hosted by Cara Schneider Bongiorno (me!), a veteran tourism

marketer who loves sharing what I found most interesting in promoting Philadelphia to travel media for 20+ years.

 

They’re 45-minute, lively presentations–given indoors or outdoors–that appeal to people curious about our city. I want guests to enjoy themselves, have a few, “Aha!” moments, and maybe do a little exploring on their own afterwards.

When and Where?

I schedule and promote about a dozen public pop ups a year, and do many for private groups. Locations vary, but homebase is the picnic tables at Corinthian Gardens, outside the massive stone wall

of Eastern State Penitentiary.

Betsy Ross House

Upcoming Public Philly History Pop Ups 

  • POST @ Masonic Temple (and tour!)
    POST @ Masonic Temple (and tour!)
    Sat, Oct 26
    Philadelphia
    Oct 26, 2024, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 1 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
    Explore symbols & stories inside the Masonic Temple with Cara and Santé Johnson, founder of the Mason Stitch Art Collective.
  • Lafayette at Cliveden (outside)
    Lafayette at Cliveden (outside)
    Sat, Oct 05
    Philadelphia
    Oct 05, 2024, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
    Philadelphia, 6401 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA
    How COOL to tell the story of the Marquis de Lafayette--and his incredible contribution to the young United States--in a place he knew well--Cliveden house in Germantown.
  • Lafayette 200 on Independence Mall (Plus: Walking Tour info below)
    Lafayette 200 on Independence Mall (Plus: Walking Tour info below)
    Sat, Sep 28
    Philadelphia
    Sep 28, 2024, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
    Philadelphia, 599 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
    We know the name–Marquis de Lafayette–but maybe not his impact on the formation of our country and our perception of it. Hear his story 200 years TO THE DAY of his arrival in Philadelphia, during a weekend commemorating one of THE most anticipated events in Philadelphia and U.S. history.
  • PAST EVENT Corinthian Gardens #4  The Mischianza (FREE)
    PAST EVENT Corinthian Gardens #4  The Mischianza (FREE)
    Tue, Jul 30
    Philadelphia
    Jul 30, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 2030 Brown St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
    Hear the tale of one of the weirdest, most over-the-top events in city history– massive, medieval style party that happened in South Philly during the Revolutionary War.
  • Main Line School Night AT Wyck for Lafayette
    Main Line School Night AT Wyck for Lafayette
    Thu, Jul 18
    Philadelphia
    Jul 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 6026 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA
    Hear the Lafayette story on site at Wyck House in Germantown. House tour to follow. Organized by Main Line School Night. $55. (Discounts for MLSN members.) CLICK on event title for more info.
  • PAST EVENT Corinthian Gardens #3  Lafayette (FREE) with Special Guest
    PAST EVENT Corinthian Gardens #3  Lafayette (FREE) with Special Guest
    Tue, Jul 16
    Philadelphia
    Jul 16, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 2050 Brown St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
    Lafayette! It’s a name we know–the Marquis de Lafayette–but his impact on the formation of our country, and even our perception of it, holds layers of surprise and inspiration. Program closes with a fellow Philadelphian sharing her ancestor's story of connection to Lafayette.
  • PAST EVENT: ​Guild House Hotel Pop Up
    PAST EVENT: ​Guild House Hotel Pop Up
    Thu, Jun 27
    Guild House Hotel
    Jun 27, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Guild House Hotel, 1307 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
    Tea & cookies reception and entertaining presentation on an event the Guild House Hotel and Philly History Pop Ups have in common: The Centennial Exposition of 1876.
  • PAST EVENT Elfreth's Alley Day: A Neighborhood Fete.
    PAST EVENT Elfreth's Alley Day: A Neighborhood Fete.
    Sat, Jun 01
    Philadelphia
    Jun 01, 2024, 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 126 Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
    Peek into private homes, and into the past at this popular summer fundraiser for one of America's oldest continuously inhabited streets. I'll be doing an Alley-themed "Interesting Twists on Places You Know" in a garden off the alley, at 2:30 and again at 4pm. $25 tickets from Elfreth's Alley 1-5pm
  • PAST EVENT Corinthian Gardens #2 Centennial (FREE)
    PAST EVENT Corinthian Gardens #2 Centennial (FREE)
    Wed, May 29
    Philadelphia
    May 29, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 2050 Brown St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
    Hear the story of the event that drew 10 million people to Fairmount Park in 1876; learn what came from the Expo, and where all those buildings went. The topic is especially timely as Philadelphia prepares for the nation’s 250th in 2026.
  • PAST EVENT Corinthian Gardens #1   Interesting Twists (FREE). SWITCHING TO RAINDATE, THURS., MAY 16
    PAST EVENT Corinthian Gardens #1   Interesting Twists (FREE). SWITCHING TO RAINDATE, THURS., MAY 16
    Thu, May 16
    Philadelphia
    May 16, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 2050 Brown St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
    Summer series at Corinthian Gardens returns with a themed version of "Interesting Twists on Places You Know," revealing some lesser-known stories hiding inside Philly historic sites and attractions.
  • PAST EVENT Main Line School Night: Mischianza
    PAST EVENT Main Line School Night: Mischianza
    Thu, May 09
    Creutzburg Center
    May 09, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Creutzburg Center, 260 Gulph Creek Road, Radnor
    A pop up for lifelong learners at MLSN's Creutzburg Center building in Radnor. Hear the tale of one of the weirdest, most over-the-top events in city history. Period snacks included. $35 ticket through MLSN. (Discounts for members.) CLICK on event title for more info.
  • PAST EVENT Claudia Mills Rugs, Old City Studio
    PAST EVENT Claudia Mills Rugs, Old City Studio
    Fri, Apr 05
    Philadelphia
    Apr 05, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 133 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
    First Friday pop up themed around craftsmanship, inspired by Claudia Mills’ in-studio looms and Philadelphia’s manufacturing history. Topic will be “Interesting Twists on Places You Know: HANDMADE edition."
  • PAST EVENT ​Guild House Hotel Pop Up
    PAST EVENT ​Guild House Hotel Pop Up
    Thu, Mar 14
    Philadelphia
    Mar 14, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Philadelphia, 1307 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
    Women’s History Month tea & cookies reception and entertaining presentation on an event the Guild House Hotel and Philly History Pop Ups have in common: The Centennial Exposition of 1876.

Want to host one for your community group?

Cara Schneider Bongiorno-7 (1).jpg

Corinthian Gardens

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