Videos

Ms. Walker's 10th Grade African- American studies class came to the @historicalpa where we partnered to introduce them to 19th Black life in Philadelphia. Students reviewed documents and went on a walking tour. Thank you Ms. Walker and HSP staff for this beautiful day. Most importantly, 🙏🏽 thank you ✨students ✨ for your curiosity and engagement.

We’re working on a 3-D map of the 1838 Philadelphia Black Metropolis. This is only the seventh and Lombard area right now - so only a small portion of the full Black metropolis, but the important heart of emancipation and a growing transnational Black identity during the 1800s. You can check it out on our website. We’re using the 1860 Hexamer and Locher insurance map-which represents about 20 years after 1838 but mostly institutions in buildings on this map were there by about 1845.

Did you know that in 1870, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 Black people, mostly men, marched through Philadelphia and transformed what was meant to be a celebration into a deliberate demonstration of Black political power? Men who had never voted before suddenly had the right to vote and only one year to learn how, organize, and overturn a hostile mayor. So Black organizers did something brilliant. instead of organizing the parade by existing social networks, they created new politically oriented social networks through organizing by political ward. In this new social organization, They moved together. Dressed the same way. Marched in formation. Thus the parade itself became political training, instantly creating the networks of support that would be so needed to teach each other how to vote quickly. It was massive, snaking through the city for five hours, and it was meant to be read through formations, banners, Black historical memory, and clear political intent. And it worked. The 1871 mayoral election came down to about 8,000 votes, Mayor Fox and his racist machine were voted out and a new Black friendly administration was voted in. But the cost was high. That election turned violent. Black men were attacked, and some lost their lives. One of them was Octavius Catto, assassinated on Election Day for his role in expanding Black political power. We share more about how this story was uncovered, and the lives behind it, on our website. ✊🏾📜🗳️.

Moments like this are why we do the work. 🖤✨ Our Black Metropolis 101 curriculum writer Dr. Melissa Benbow Flowers met with @philly_schools African American Studies teacher Hannah Gann to walk through how we research and recover stories from the 1838 Census. 📜🔎 Ms. Gann’s students are already connecting deeply - finding pride, purpose, and inspiration in the lives of those who built 19th-century Philadelphia. 🌆🌱 We’re thrilled to help support the next generation as they carry forward this incredible legacy. ✨

id you know that a portrait at 9th and Lombard inspired one of the most successufl slave ship takeovers and the freedom of hundreds? This is the story of how one rebellion - The Amistad, and it’s leader Cinque - inspired another rebellion - The Creole, and it’s leader Madison Washington. Madison Washington had been helpd to freedom by the Philadelphai Vigilance Committe and they helped him get all the way to Candada. But in 1841 he missed his wife and went back to free her in the south. On his way, he stopped 9th and Lombard to see Robert Purvis - and that’s when he saw the picture of Cinque. 🤯 He was blown away. So he went back to the south but got caught and wound up on slave ship. Guess what he did? 🤔 That’s right - with Cinque in his mind, he took over that ship and freed everyone on board. 💪🏾 They sailed the ship to the Bahamas where they were jailed for a moment. The US fought with the UK over their freedom. The US wanted to re-enslave them. But the UK won out and they were freed. 🔥

A Quick Look into Black Philadelphia's Struggles and Victories in Public Transit in the 19th Century

The 1838 Black Metropolis walking tour in Northern Liberties explores Philadelphia's fascinating colonial past

Featuring special guests J. Desmond McKinson, Director of Communications at the Office of Reentry Partnerships and Morgan Lloyd, Co-Founder of The 1838 Black Metropolis of Philadelphia. 🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4816554391240704

This video follows the 1838 Black Metropolis team through their Bethel Burying Ground tour for Creative Philadelphia. Video Credit Embassy: Interactive.