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The Latest
The 1838 Black Metropolis is rich with discoveries...buildings that reveal themselves as historic sites, people who have done incredible things, and places where it all happened.
As we learn it, we post it.
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1838 Black Metropolis
Jan 44 min read
Black Led Abolition in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers; Our New Exhibit Opens on February 6
We are excited to introduce you to our latest exhibit Free, As One: Black Worldmaking in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers...
700 views
Michiko Quinones
Nov 24, 20246 min read
From Philadelphia to Nat Turner; Shadrack Bassett's African Hymn Inspires an Uprising
Almost all liberation movements have a song that inspires people and turns rooms where it is sung into spirit filled spaces. In 1830s...
138 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Oct 19, 20247 min read
Finding Stories of Early Black Banking, Freedom Suits and more in the 1847 Census
We take our name from the 1838 Census of the Black population of Philadelphia; the only known statistical snapshot of educational,...
95 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Jul 14, 20241 min read
A Useful Framework for Understanding Black Associations in pre Civil War Philadelphia
Students of the Black population of Philadelphia before the Civil War will encounter a wide variety of types of organizations. As we have...
79 views
Michiko Quinones
May 12, 20245 min read
A Love Story; How The Institute for Colored Youth Birthed a Philly Public School in 1860
In 1860, Cordelia Jennings stood on a stage in front of thousands of people. She was one of 7 seniors from the Institute of Colored Youth...
143 views
Michiko Quinones
Apr 21, 20247 min read
Finding The Forgotten Exhibition of Black Inventors and Artisens in 1851
173 years ago - today (I decided to publish today - April 21 - which was the last day of the fair), a Black organization called 'The...
354 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Mar 28, 20249 min read
From 1820-1842 the Black Community Saved Black Public Schools - Twice
Note that this is a rephrasing of Henry Silcox’s work in his article on education for Black students from 1800-1860. See the full...
805 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Jan 7, 20248 min read
Finding Black-Led Creation and Use of Economic Instruments to support Freedom Seekers in 1840
This research was supported by the Along Freedom's Journey History grant provided to the Peter Mott House from the New Jersey Historical...
293 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Dec 22, 20238 min read
Uncovering the Forgotten Story: The Hidden Civil Rights Movement of 1838
Most people don't know that Black people had the right to vote in Pennsylvania before 1838. There was a fight to keep that right and we...
457 views
Michiko Quinones
Dec 6, 20234 min read
There were Black Civil Rights Movements and Orgs in Philadelphia 170 years Ago
I asked Google what Civil Rights are and Google said: Which is cool. That's pretty much what I had in my head. 🧐 I wanted to be sure...
156 views
Jordan Gibson
Nov 22, 20235 min read
Were the Daughters of Africa More Powerful than We Thought?
Hi! I'm Jordan, a history and secondary education major at Temple University and currently a CDFI intern here at 1838. I was born and...
315 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Nov 13, 20235 min read
Finding Black Labor Organization In the 1820s and 1830s
Imagine knocking on the door of someone in The Black Metropolis on a cold day in late December in 1837. Not only are you going to make...
111 views
Michiko Quinones
Oct 25, 20233 min read
Black people were not included in some older popular Philly history books
Lots of students are looking to use primary sources in their papers starting as early as 6th grade. But some primary sources have...
85 views
Michiko
Oct 12, 20234 min read
We have the receipts! Finding early Black organizations financial support for Freedom Seekers
We are kind of passionate here about early Black organizations supporting freedom seekers. We think our ancestors were AMAZING! As...
95 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Sep 25, 20231 min read
A peek into September, 170 years ago, through Black newspapers and a Black historical lens.
We talk about the people of The Black Metropolis almost as if we just ran into them on the street. They are very much alive for us. So...
142 views
Michiko
Aug 12, 20235 min read
In 1838, a bustling Black city was steps away from Independence Hall
When we collectively think of colonial and early 1800s Philadelphia, we all usually think up something that looks like this... But 1838...
167 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Jul 20, 20233 min read
In 1821 a group of single and widowed Black woman founded the Daughters of Africa
You may have heard about beneficial societies. Starting with the Free Africa Society in the late 1770s, Black people in Philadelphia...
155 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Jul 6, 20233 min read
Musical Fund Hall and Taxation Without Representation
You know how you've heard all about how Taxation without Representation is a really bad thing? As citizens we pay our taxes but we get a...
49 views
Michiko
Jun 29, 20234 min read
We were not all in Moyamensing
'HIstoriography' refers to the language, nuances, and implications that shape the historical narrative, not just the facts of history....
44 views
1838 Black Metropolis
Jun 12, 20233 min read
The Black Metropolis has Always Celebrated Emancipation
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...
35 views
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