About the Geographical Society

Since 1891, the Geographical Society of Philadelphia has explored the world, bringing it to our members and the public with a focus on travel, exploration, science, and history. We present Magellan Circle events and a Travel / Adventure Series of eight films and illustrated lectures.

History

In 1891, a group of Philadelphians with a passion for exploration and geography founded the Geographical Society of Philadelphia. The first president, Angelo Heilprin, climbed erupting Mt. Pelée on Martinique. Henry Grier Bryant explored and mapped unknown parts of Labrador. Charter member Robert E. Peary made expeditions toward the North Pole with funds and active participation of members. Artist-member Cecilia Beaux designed the Society’s globe logo.

Travel / Adventure Programs

People, Places, Perspectives … Distinguished speakers roam the globe experiencing and recording the most interesting sights and sounds - cultural practices, celebrations, historical landmarks, and scenic splendors. This season, eight modern-day Marco Polos bring exotic places, exploration, and adventure to our members and the public.

Magellan Circle

In addition to Travel / Adventure Programs, Magellan Circle members attend exclusive events, such as lectures, receptions, the Magellan Dinner, and behind-the-scenes tours of unique destinations.

Annual Dinners

The Society’s 2010 Annual Dinner was held on May 11 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing. Travel icons Arthur Frommer and his daughter Pauline Frommer were our speakers.

At this traditional Society event, speakers and honorees have included Sir Ernest Shackleton, John Glenn, and Roald Amundsen. The April 6, 2009 Peary Centennial event recreated the Society’s 1909 dinner which honored Robert Peary for reaching the North Pole. This extraordinary event was held in the same location, the Bellevue Stratford Rose Garden Room, 100 years later. Recent dinners featured Diving Below the Antarctic Ice, Travels in Eastern Turkey, an evening with Lonely Planet founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler, and Todd Carmichael’s solo trek to the South Pole.

Student Support

The Society offers special group rates and half-price tickets. To support home-schooled students, at the 2:00 shows, tickets for adults accompanying children are also half-price.

Exploration Grants

Grants are awarded to scientists and scholars working in the polar regions. Special grants to The Academy of Natural Sciences have supported seven projects. Our most recent exploration grant was awarded to Art Mortvedt to support his landing at the North Pole in early 2011. This flight, first for a single engine plane, will conduct scientific studies from the air using leading-edge laser technology.

Awards

Recipients of the Society’s prestigious medals to authors and explorers include Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Thor Heyerdahl, Lowell Thomas, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and Rachel Carson. Special medals were struck for Arctic explorer Robert E. Peary’s attainment of the North Pole and to honor Sir Edmund Hillary’s ascent of Mt. Everest.

Officers:

Brochure

For a copy of our printed brochure, send an e–mail with your mailing address to geosocphil@aol.com or call the Society at 610–649–5220.