Meet “Legendary Locals,” past and present, at the Philadelphia History Museum

On November 13, the Philadelphia History Museum will offer a unique mash-up of arts, history, and local-interest literature courtesy of author Thom Nickels and pop artist Perry Milou.

Nickels, a journalist, columnist, and editor with outlets like ICON magazine, Spirit Newspapers, and Broad Street Review, will share stories from his new book, Legendary Locals of Center City Philadelphia. The book tells the real-life tales of historical Philly notables, some well-known, and some lesser-known, like civil rights advocate Octavius Valentine Catto, whom Nickels calls “really the first Rosa Parks because he took the bold step of protesting segregation by staging a one-person sit-in in a Philadelphia trolley car.”

Other worthy Philadelphians profiled in the book include Edgar Allan Poe contemporary George Lippard (author of 1845’s scandalous best seller, The Quaker City) and other writers including James Michener, Pearl S. Buck, and Agnes Repplier, little-known today despite her extraordinary career. And don’t forget figures like Grace Kelly, Anne d’Harnoncourt, Temple University founder Russell Conwell, and architect Frank Furness.

During the evening’s discussion, Milou (a Philly artist who’s painted modern celebs like Lady Gaga, the Phillies’ Ryan Howard, and President Obama) will create a “live painting” on the spot.

Thom Nickels and Perry Milou are coming to the Philadelphia History Museum, 15 South 17th Street, on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30-7:30pm. Tickets are $10 (free for museum members). For more information, call 215-685-4827. To reserve your ticket, click here.