by KYW's Mike Dunn
Tour guides in Philadelphia's historic district better hit the books. City Council on Wednesday took a first step toward requiring that guides pass history tests before they are permitted to give tours.
Local historian Ron Avery (in file photo at right) says too many tour guides mangle and distort history, so visitors leave the city ill-informed:
"Right now anybody can be a guide in Philadelphia."
He spoke in support of a bill requiring standard history tests in order to be a guide in center city:
""A test on those facts at least gives them the basics -- so they'll know that Betsy Ross did not sew half the uniforms for the American Revolution, as one guide told me."
And a City Council committee agreed, approving that measure and sending it to the full Council.
The bill does allow tour companies to get exemptions if they offer their own tests, but sponsors believe the number of exemptions would be minimal.
If the plan works after two years, the test would be required of all guides, not just those in center city.
Read related KYW editorial by general manager David Yadgaroff
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