PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Actors hired by Historic Philadelphia, Inc., to be colonial reenactors and storytellers this summer toured the city’s historic district, Old City, as part of a training course they call “the Benstitute”.
The three-day course teaches the new hires facts about local history and the city’s historic attractions. The colonial-era interpreters are also familiarizing themselves with the location ofrestaurants, ATMs and even bathrooms, to help guide tourists.
Amy Needle, the president and CEO of the nonprofit organization, explained how the Benstitute teaches tour guides and historical reenactors about present-day Philadelphia, as well as the city’s role in American history.
“Not only do those storytellers and actors have to learn the stories and understand the history behind them, but they then bring them to life,” said Needle. “At the Benstitute, we are also teaching them about customer service and training and touring around the historic district, where to get the best cheesesteak and things like that.”
Tourism industry hospitality and diversity training has been incorporated into the Benstitute's course.
Historic Philadelphia has two types of guides: history-maker interpreters, dressed in period costumes; and “Once Upon a Nation” storytellers, wearing polo shirts. Historical reenactors are stationed at the Betsy Ross House and Franklin Square, and the storytellers are stationed at six park benches in Old City.
“History is so important, and I feel that a lot of it is not talked about anymore,” said Heather Michele Lawler, who has been cast as one of the Betsys at the Betsy Ross House.
“What I think Historic Philadelphia does is bring history to life. So it’s not just sitting in a classroom and it’s boring,” Lawler said. “You get to see it, feel it and live it again. So kids will remember that.”
The actors and storytellers hit the cobblestone streets of Old City from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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