Thomas H. Keels

Tom Keels is the author of eight published books on Philadelphia and American history:

-- Sinners and Scandals of Laurel Hill Cemetery. The History Press, 2026.

-- Sesqui! Greed, Graft, and the Forgotten World's Fair of 1926. Temple Univ. Press, 2017.

-- Philadelphia's Golden Age of Retail (with Lawrence M. Arrigale). Arcadia Publishing, 2012.

-- Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love. The History Press, 2010.

-- Forgotten Philadelphia: Lost Architecture of the Quaker City. Temple Univ. Press, 2007.

-- Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries. Arcadia Publishing, 2003.

-- Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square (with Robert Morris Skaler). Arcadia Publishing, 2008.

-- Chestnut Hill (with Elizabeth Farmer Jarvis). Arcadia Publishing, 2002.

Besides his books, Tom is a lecturer, tour guide, writer, and commentator specializing in Philadelphia history, architecture, and cemeteries.

Tom has addressed many of Philadelphia's leading organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Carpenters’ Hall, Cosmopolitan Club, Curtis Institute of Music, Franklin Inn Club, Free Library of Philadelphia, Harvard Club of Philadelphia, Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, and Union League of Philadelphia.

Tom has appeared in numerous documentaries, including several episodes of Philadelphia: The Great Experiment and In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America (both by History Making Productions); Philly Firsts on WLVT (PBS39); and World’s Greatest Cemeteries with Roberto Mighty. He has appeared on two episodes of Mysteries at the Museum on the Travel Channel. Other media appearances include NPR’s All Things Considered; Smithsonian Magazine (online edition); Counter Culture with Grover Silcox on WLVT; Radio Times on WHYY-FM; Creatively Speaking on WRTI-FM; PA Books on the Pennsylvania Cable Network; Action News on WPVI-TV; and Good Day Philadelphia on FOX-TV.

Tom’s articles have appeared in the Rittenhouse Sq. Revue, Chestnut Hill Local, Main Line Times, Springfield Sun, Philadelphia Style, Germantown Crier, and the Journal of the Historical Society of Montgomery County. His articles on Philadelphia history can be viewed online at The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia and Hidden City Philadelphia.

A confirmed taphophile, Tom has been a tour guide at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia's premier Victorian necropolis, for thirty years. He has conducted classes on Philadelphia cemetery history for the Bucks County Community College Historic Preservation Program, Cheltenham Township Adult School, and Mount Airy Learning Tree.