America’s Rising Tour Guide

Photo credit to John R. Hurst.

Brother Stephen Pierce, Cassia Mt. Horeb Lodge No. 273, Ardmore, has been a history buff since he was a young child. At 8 years old, he was researching American history and participating in living history events. He credits his passion for history for overcoming challenging times, most notably doing poorly in school because of a learning disability.

“One of the things that got me out of my slump was to read about things I was interested in, such as American history and early colonial history,” Stephen said. “Being a very visual learner [my mom was an art history teacher], she took me to all these great Philadelphia historic sites in our backyard, like Independence Hall. It really inspired me to read more and do better in school.”

Stephen went on to get his bachelor’s degree in political science and history and his master’s degree in early American history (specifically 18th century America), both from La Salle University. Today, the Havertown native, 29, works as a historian, tour guide, historic interpreter and content creator focused on early American history, specifically in the Greater Philadelphia region or “Delaware Valley.”

He’s also a wood craftsman, specializing in CNC (computer numerical control) woodworking and reproducing historical woodcrafts, such as 18th century wood shaving blocks and women’s laundry paddles.

A first-generation Mason since 2023, Stephen cited his interest in history and the “National Treasure” franchise for inspiring him to join the fraternity. Freemasons were featured prominently in the 2004 and 2007 movies (a book and television series followed), where a treasure hunt is intertwined with the Masons and the Knights Templar. Philadelphia is referenced several times in the movies.

“’National Treasure’ inspired me to discover other historic sites in Philadelphia, and that’s when I visited the Masonic Temple,” Stephen said. “That really stuck in my mind. We had one of the best tour guides. The tour got me interested in Freemasonry, but I was busy with school and then the pandemic hit. I promised myself that after COVID, I would join a lodge, and I did.”

The tour guide was the late Brother John Minott, who was a great inspiration because his tour was so meaningful, Stephen said.

During the pandemic, Stephen also launched a history media company called America’s Rising Son to educate people on the little-known facts of the country’s history using TikTok and his own YouTube channel.

“I interviewed a bunch of awesome historians, and that led me to want to create a website about American history. Then, when I started doing the CNC projects, I needed a website to take orders. From there, I added historic tours [of Philadelphia], and it just took off from there.”

Around that time, Stephen also began working as a tour guide at Historic Fort Mifflin on the Delaware River. “I took that job very seriously because I think living history and re-enacting plays a significant role in connecting the past to the present,” he said.

Today, Stephen spends his weekends giving tours at Harriton House, a restored 1704 house and estate in Bryn Mawr, once the home of Charles Thompson, the only secretary to the Continental and Confederation Congresses. He also serves on the Paoli Battlefield Board of Directors and previously served on the Haverford Historical Commission.

Stephen recently began offering three different history tours of Philadelphia through his website, including “The Birth of the Navy and Marines,” “Ben Franklin’s Philadelphia” and “The Road to Independence.” The $20 tours (children are free), which take place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and by appointment, begin and end at various historic Philadelphia sites.

The tours have been well attended and resonate with people, as Americans begin to prepare for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, Stephen said. He’s a member of The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides, an organization working with Philadelphia250.

“The large group tours [25 people and up] are definitely my bread and butter right now,” Stephen said. “I really want that to be my main form of income. I’ve also been hired to do first person interpretations of a young George Washington, because people tell me I look like him. When you’re in the history field, you have to do everything you can to stay afloat.”

Sometimes during his one-hour tours, Stephen weaves in information about the general principles of Freemasonry and the history of the fraternity. Some younger individuals have asked him how to join a Masonic lodge.

“I think people get interested in Freemasonry because we have such a rich history,” he said. “There’s a real tradition there that people cling onto.”

Stephen enjoys the challenge of making history interesting to people. Since he’s admittedly not the best writer, he prefers to “make history pop and come alive” for people through speech and performance.

Stephen said he’s grateful that both his parents were interested in history and enjoyed visiting historical sites. Even though he still lives at home, Stephen is only a stone’s throw away from public transportation, which is how he was able to visit Philadelphia so often as a kid – and today.

“I love where I live,” he said. “You can’t be a good tour guide without knowing where you live. It’s great to be a tourist and a tour guide in my own city. I also like going on other people’s tours. I discover new things all the time. The tour guide industry is not that competitive. We all have the same goal, which is to promote the city and see it do better.”

To purchase tickets to one of Stephen’s tours, visit his website at AmericasRisingSon.com or follow his social media for specialty tours.