The Latest

'HIstoriography' refers to the language, nuances, and implications that shape the historical narrative, not just the facts of history....

As we head into Juneteenth season (and Lordt there is SO MUCH GOING ON) we are reflecting on the fact that The Black Metropolis was well...

This is one of those finds in the archive that seems sooo simple and yet holds so much meaning. A few lines scribbled hurriedly on a note....

We often say that we think there were thousands of free Black people helping thousands of freedom seekers to self-emancipate. Why do we...

I keep seeing well meaning historians describe 1830s and 1840s Black Philadelphians as living in the 7th ward. Ya'll. The 7th ward did not exist until 1854. Ever since W.E.B DuBois wrote The Philadelphia Negro , the 7th Ward has become code language for Black. What that has encouraged is a thought process that all Black people in Philadelphia were all in the 7th ward, all the time. It was a very long 19th century. From about 1820 -1842, the wards had names, not numbers. F

Someone asked me recently when was it that I became passionate about the antebellum period in Philadelphia. And I answered that I...

There was a Black Lutheran Church on Quince in 1838 and historic things happened there

What are they talking about? We know that our co-founder Michiko tends to get a little excited on the tours and starts throwing out rapid...