Historic Walking Tour Planned In Yardley

YARDLEY, PA — A walking tour that takes in both the Delaware Canal towpath and neighboring South Canal Street will be sponsored by the Yardley Historical Association on Saturday.

The tour will begin at the Old Library by Lake Afton, 46 West Afton Ave., at 2 p.m. Saturday.

This 2-mile round-trip stroll will cover a bit of downtown Yardley, then head south on the towpath to Lock 5, where canal and railroad history meet. From the Lock, walkers will explore South Canal Street, a bustling area when the Delaware Canal was in commercial operation. There was an expansive boatyard, and the houses on the east side were built later for railroad workers.

A special stop will be the historic AME Church, now known as the Gather Place.

Conservator Shirley Lee Corsey will tell how, in just one year, the once dilapidated building has been transformed into a museum and performance place with bigger plans to come.

The opportunity to see the church interior and exhibits about Yardley’s Black community is a highlight. The return trip to the Old Library will be via either the towpath or South Main Street.

Susan Taylor will lead the walk, pointing out sites and sharing stories along the way.

A donation of $10 per person is requested.

To reserve a place, please e-mail info@yardleyhistory.org or call 215-208-1154.

For more information about the walk or other activities of the Yardley Historical Association, visit www.yardleyhistory.org.

The Yardley Historical Association preserves and shares the Old Library by Lake Afton and its collections of books, newspapers, photographs, and ephemera related to the history of Yardley and its surroundings. The community is welcome to come and explore, discover, and have fun.