What is there to see?
Our building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and
the German Society has been in continuous possession of our
buildings since the 1850s. We have an Auditorium with
world-renowned acoustics, a Library with over 70,000 volumes, and a
traditional Ratskeller. Tours usually range
from 30-45 minutes, depending on your interests and the number of
questions you ask.
Do I need to make an appointment for a tour?
While we certainly
welcome walk-ins, we strongly suggest that you call us (215-627-2332)
before coming in for a tour. The staff and volunteers in the
building on a regular basis are often occupied by the daily operations
of the Society. To ensure someone is available to give you a
tour, we suggest you let us know you will be coming. Tours are
offered in English, but if you would prefer a tour in German, a
reservation, and at least one week's notice, is required.
Is there admission charged for a tour?
We do not charge admission for a tour of our building, but we
would certainly appreciate a donation for our time. We usually
suggest $3 - $5 per person on the tour, but you may certainly give more
or less if you choose. There are donation boxes around the
Society if you feel uncomfortable handing money to your tour
guide.
Do I need to make an appointment to use the Library?
While visiting the Library is part of a building tour, you will
need to make an appointment to actually use the Library. You can
schedule a visit with our Librarian by calling 215-627-2332, or you can
send her an email at librarian at germansociety.org. (Please
replace the "at" with an "@" before sending. We list email
addresses on our website in that form in an effort to reduce spam).
Can I bring children with me on a tour?
The German Society loves having youngsters in our building, and
you are welcome to bring them with you, though the tour is geared
toward older folks.
Do you do group tours?
We are certainly happy to conduct group visits for tourists,
school classes, university German clubs, and the like. We ask
that you give us as much notice as possible and include the following
information: English or German (or mixed) tour, number of people in
group, desired length of tour, time of tour, and if there is a space
needed for a meal. We are happy to accommodate groups of any
size, though we will break a group of 20 or more into smaller
groups for ease of navigating through the building.
Can I take photos while I'm at the Society?
You certainly can. We do not have any restrictions as to
what you may or may not photograph. We just ask that you respect
the historic nature of the space and make sure camera equipment
does not damage the property in any way.
Do you have a gift shop or things for
sale?
We have several bookcases throughout the building with old books
you may take with you. It is requested that you make a donation
for any books you would like to take, but please feel free to do so.
We do not have a gift shop where you can purchase merchandise.
Can I park in your parking lot?
Our parking lot is open for visitors and friends of the Society.
If you are planning a visit here and would also like to grab a
bite to eat or visit another attraction in the area, you are welcome to
leave your car here. We will not lock you in or have you towed if
you plan on visiting the Society during your trip. However,
please be sure to park inside the black gate. The parking in
front of the gate and under the mural does not belong to us, and you
will be in danger of towing if you park there.
Can I have a birthday party or my
wedding reception at the Society?
Absolutely! Please click HERE
for more information about special event rentals.
What other things of interest are in
your neighborhood?
Eastern
State Penitentiary and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are
a very short car ride (or longer walk) away, as well as Penn's
Landing, South
Street, Independence Mall, and the rest of Center City.
You can also visit the Poe House
right across the street. There are several restaurants in the
area, such as the Spaghetti
Warehouse, Silk
City, and Dave
& Buster's, but we recommend venturing further toward the
center of town for a larger variety of choices.
What is the general neighborhood like
around the German Society?
During business hours, the area along Spring Garden Street is
well-populated and trafficked. We would not recommend walking
alone after dark.
If you have any other questions or are planning a visit, please feel
free to call us at 215-627-2332 (9am-5pm, Monday - Friday).
German Society
of
Pennsylvania
611 Spring
Garden Street
Philadelphia,
PA 19123
(P)
215-627-2332
(F)
215-627-5297
