Harvard Club of Philadelphia

Behind the Wall: A Private Tour of Girard College’s Founder’s Hall Museum

Join us Tuesday, May 19th in Fairmount to uncover one of Philadelphia’s best-kept secrets with an exclusive tour of the Founder's Hall Museum at Girard College by curator Kathy Haas '00.

In June 1776, French sea captain Stephen Girard arrived in Philadelphia helming a ship in need of emergency repairs. He would make the city his home for the rest of his life before dying in 1831 as the richest man in America. He left his vast fortune to the city of Philadelphia to establish Girard College, originally endowed to educate “poor, white male orphans.” Come behind Girard College's famed 10-foot wall at the northern end of the Fairmount neighborhood to join Kathy Haas '00, Director of Historical Resources, for a tour of the Founder's Hall Museum.  We will explore the complex life of America’s first multi-millionaire and learn about the legacy of a school which has fascinated visitors since the 19th century, became the focus of a key Northern civil rights case in the 20th century, and continues to educate youth today. 

There will be time before and after the tour for fellowship and light snacks with fellow Harvardians and guests.

About our Guide:

Kathy Haas '00 is the Director of Historical Resources at Girard College, a position she has held since 2017.  In this role she runs the museum in Founder's Hall and conducts all work related to collections, archives, and preservation. Prior to arriving at Girard, Kathy was in the collections department of the Rosenbach Museum & Library in Philadelphia for twelve years and worked at a number of New England institutions. 

For more information about the Museum, visit the website here.

Listen to Kathy's description of the Museum and its collections in her Episode of the Harvard Class of 2000 Podcast here.