Philadelphia Black History Tour

For the student of Black History and the African American diaspora, Philadelphia is a key destination. The laws of slavery were enforced in the Early American City of Philadelphia. Spending some years in Philadelphia, George Washington freed his slaves upon his death. As freed Africans mixed with slaves, the lines that defined slave versus free man was not so clear.

Because of its admixture of African Americans, free and enslaved, the abolitionist movement took root here. As the abolitionist movement began and grew, the Bethel A.M.E. Church became a pivotal meeting place. It was also a sanctuary for slaves who had runaway. Here fugitive slaves were assured of invisibility while waiting to be transported to safety.

Many students are not aware of the fact that an African American architect worked on the Philadelphia Museum of Art, or that the Barnes Foundation collection contains a notable amount of African Art. These sites are located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and can be incorporated into the student tour.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia is located at 7th and Arch Streets. Here students will explore an interactive museum with actors portraying real African American historical figures from Philadelphia. Students will learn more about prominent African Americans in the permanent display “Audacious Freedom.”

Enjoy Your Philadelphia Experience