Self-guided tour for Black History Month

South Street Headhouse District is honoring Black History Month with a self-guided tour that will take visitors throughout the district to locations that have shaped the history and culture of the city.

Avenue of the Roots, located on the 600 block of E. Passyunk Ave., honors the Roots. In 2000, photographer Annie Leibovitz captured an iconic portrait of Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson on the corner of East Passyunk and South Street as they performed for an onlooking crowd. In February 2020, the 600 block of E. Passyunk Ave. was renamed “Avenue of The Roots.”

Several murals throughout the South Street Headhouse District are featured on the tour, including the one created last year by artist Jim Houser. Located on the side of Nocturnal Skateshop’s new location at 5th and Kater streets, this mural is a tribute to skateboarding legend Roger Browne.

The filming locations of the Boyz II Men “Motownphilly” music video account for several stops on the tour. In the music video for the song, the group was filmed in a car driving down South Street at 3rd Street. Other parts of the video were filmed under the Headhouse Shambles in front of the restaurant currently known as Cavanaugh’s Headhouse, located at 421 S. 4th St.

For more information on tour locations, follow South Street Headhouse District on  Instagram and Twitter, like the Facebook page and visit SouthStreet.com. ••