FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan 20, 2025
1838 BLACK METROPOLIS ANNOUNCES TWO HISTORIC INITIATIVES: "FREE, AS ONE EXHIBIT" AND "BLACK PHILADELPHIA IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES CONFERENCE
PRESS RELEASE
Philadelphia, PA – 1838 Black Metropolis is pleased to announce two landmark events that shed new light on the rich history of 18th and 19th Century Black life in Philadelphia. Presented in collaboration with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, The McNeil Center for Early American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Library Company of Philadelphia, the "Free, As One Exhibit" and the "Black Philadelphia in the 18th and 19th Centuries Conference" represent significant firsts in the study and celebration of Black history in the city.
The Free, As One Exhibit (February 6 – May 23, 2025), presented in Partnership with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, is the first exhibition to center on Black voices recorded in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society papers. This unique collection of documents provides invaluable insights into how Black individuals and communities in Philadelphia strategized and succeeded in their efforts to secure freedom and build lives during the late 18th century. The exhibit will feature original records, including correspondence from figures such as Toussaint L'Ouverture, Absalom Jones, and Richard Allen, as well as freedom papers, family records, and paper trails of heroic efforts to keep families together.
Inspiration and themes for the exhibit are elaborated on the 1838 Black Metropolis Blog https://www.1838blackmetropolis.com/post/free_as_one.
The Black Philadelphia in the 18th and 19th Centuries Conference (February 20–22, 2025), presented in partnership with The Library Company of Philadelphia and the McNeil Center, is the first conference dedicated solely to the history of Black life in Philadelphia during this time period. The event will explore topics such as daily life, governance, art, resistance, and transportation within the city’s Black communities. Designed to engage a wide audience, the conference aims to connect educators, students, and the general public with new insights and perspectives on this important history.
BRINGING HIDDEN HISTORIES TO LIGHT
These events are designed to make significant historical narratives accessible to a broader audience. Both the exhibit and the conference aim to bring stories that have often remained buried in archives, journals, and books into public view. By prioritizing accessibility, 1838 Black Metropolis ensures that these narratives are available to teachers, students, and community members, as well as scholars and historians.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
In alignment with its mission to foster public engagement with history, both events are free of charge. This commitment ensures that these valuable stories are available to everyone in the community.
EVENT DETAILS
Free, As One Exhibit
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Dates: February 6 – May 23, 2025
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Location: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 13th & Locust, Philadelphia
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Hours: Weekdays until 5 PM, extended hours until 7 PM on Wednesdays
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Opening Ceremony Registration: https://www.portal.hsp.org/exhibits
Black Philadelphia in the 18th and 19th Centuries Conference
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Dates: February 20–22, 2025
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Registration: Visit https://librarycompany.org/academic-programs/paah/blackphiladelphiaconference/black-philadelphia-in-the-18th-and-19th-centuries-2/
QUOTE FROM ORGANIZERS
“These events mark an important step in making Black history in Philadelphia more visible and accessible,” said Morgan Lloyd, co-founder of 1838 Black Metropolis. “Through the exhibit and conference, we are providing opportunities for the public to engage with stories that have too often been overlooked or hidden,” said Dr. Kirsten Lee, 1838 Black Metropolis Board Member.
PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORT
The "Free, As One Exhibit" and the "Black Philadelphia in the 18th and 19th Centuries Conference" have been made possible through collaborative efforts with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, and the Library Company of Philadelphia.
For more information, visit 1838BlackMetropolis.com.
Media Contact:
Michiko Quinones
Morgan Lloyd
1838 Black Metropolis
connect@1838blackmetropolis.com
About 1838 Black Metropolis:
The 1838 Black Metropolis is a movement to reclaim, rewrite and restore suppressed or forgotten Black Histories. As a public history project, 1838 responds to the challenges of Black history erasure in our modern moment, by using digital art, informal education, presentations and programs to share perspectives and spark creative connections amongst people hungry to learn more about the Black presence in Philadelphia and the surrounding region from 1780-1880. Visit www.1838blackmetropolis.com