History will be made on Sunday, April 14 in Philadelphia, when the “Caroline” carriage, operated by Carriage Horse Freedom, will partner with Vance Lehmkuhl and the American Vegan Center for a one-of-a-kind veg history tour event celebrating the carriage’s namesake, Caroline Earle White.
As public resistance to horse-drawn tourist carriages grows here and elsewhere, horseless electric tourist carriages are showing up in cities worldwide. Attendees at this event will be able to get a taste of the future in Philly, with short tours (around 5 minutes on the carriage) recounting the life of White in a space provided by the Society Hill Civic Association.
On April 14, 1869, White founded the organization that became the Women’s Animal Center, and which opened the first animal shelters in the United States. She hated seeing the abuse of horses and tried to help them however she could.
Last year, thanks to Janet White (no relation) and Carriage Horse Freedom, the “Caroline” carriage became the first e-carriage to debut in a major U.S. city. April 14 will be the occasion of the first public tours on the carriage.
The sample tours will run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to be part of this historic day by registering for a ride and/or coming to Front and South Streets at that time.
Individual tickets for the veg history ride are $10; families can ride for $20. The ride fee includes a souvenir photo, or attendees can choose to simply obtain a photo of themselves on the carriage for $5. All who register in advance at americanvegan.org/events/sunday-april-14-carriage-tours/ will receive a commemorative booklet documenting their attendance at the historic first step in establishing a new, innovative, animal-free industry in Philadelphia.
