Trace the evolution of the Arts and Crafts movement in Philadelphia through a day-long exploration of two remarkable sites that together tell a story of craftsmanship, community, and design. Led by Bonita Billman, the program begins at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where a curator-led tour of “Workshop of the World: Arts and Crafts in Philadelphia, 1876–1926” reveals how the city’s industrial strength and artistic ambition shaped a distinctly local interpretation of the movement. Featuring more than 250 objects, from finely crafted furniture to metalwork and textiles, the exhibition highlights makers who sought to unite beauty and utility in response to the challenges of modern life.

Spend the afternoon in Rose Valley, where a guided tour of the Rose Valley Museum introduces one of America’s most significant Arts and Crafts communities. Housed in Thunderbird Lodge, a beautifully preserved Arts and Crafts–style building, the museum offers a window into a bold social experiment. Founded in 1901 by architect William Lightfoot Price, Rose Valley was envisioned as a place where art, labor, and daily life were seamlessly integrated, emphasizing craftsmanship, communal living, and a rejection of industrial mass production. A walking tour of the Rose Valley Historic District with a local guide gives a deeper look at the community that formed around the movement.

Lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Know Before You Go

• The tour departs by motorcoach from downtown Washington, DC with a designated secondary pick-up outside the city. Content delivered by the study leader on the way to the destination, after the secondary pick-up, is an integral part of the study tour experience. Meeting the group once the tour is en route is discouraged.
• Tour participants meet at and leave by bus from the Mayflower Hotel, with a pickup stop at the I-495 Exit 27 carpool parking lot at about 7:25 a.m. 

General Information

• Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
• Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
• As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
• For additional tour information:
• Study Tour Policies
• Refund/Cancellation Policy