Driving Tour of African American History in Philadelphia

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Founded in 1793 by African American Bishop, Richard Allen the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Richard Allen was born a slave to a Quaker attorney. This church is an relic in remembrance to Richard Allen. The land on which the church was built was bought by Allen from his owner. Allen was a minister, "preeminent Black leader, and founder of the first permanent national association." Alongside serving as a stop in the underground railroad, the Mother Bethel AME Church also has been used by the African-American community as a place for social organizations to meet, being a proponent for racial equality and civil rights on the local and national level. A number of influential African Americans have been gust in the church as well, such leaders include Frederick Douglass, Lucretia Mott, Rosa Parks, and Colin Powell.

2. Lombard Street Riot, 1842

On August 1, 1842, a white mob of mostly Irish immigrants attacked a parade of around 1,000 African Americans promoting temperance and commemorating the eighth anniversary of the end of slavery in the British Caribbean. The attack sparked a three-day riot during which members of the mob pursued marchers around the city, ransacked black homes in the area, and set an abolitionist meeting hall, several public buildings, and the Second African Presbyterian Church ablaze. The mayor called in 1,000 militia troops to finally put an end to the riot. Few rioters were arrested and those who were convicted received light sentences. The event was the third race riot that occurred within the previous decade (the other two took place in 1834 and 1838.

3. Liberty Hall at the Institute for Colored Youth

Liberty Hall was a building belonging to the Institute for Colored Youth.The building was used as the headquarters for the first all Black Philadelphia baseball club, the Pythians, in 1867. The team had meetings and planned events here.The building is no longer standing today. However, there is a plaque elsewhere in Philly, dedicated to the Institute for Colored Youth.

4. Octavius V. Catto Historical Marker

Pennsylvania state historical marker placed at the former residence of the great African American activist, educator and sportsman Octavius V. Catto (1839-71). In addition to co-founding the Pythians baseball club of Philadelphia, one of the most successful and historically significant all-Black teams of their time, Catto spearheaded the movement that led to the racial integration of streetcars in Philadelphia and worked to help African Americans gain the right to vote with the passage of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution in 1870. During a time of violent unrest shortly before the fall 1871 elections in Philadelphia, Catto was murdered in the street, a victim of a politically motivated assassination.

5. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper House

This historic Philadelphia home is where poet, fiction writer, journalist, and activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper spent her later years and the location where she passed away on February 22, 1911. Born in Baltimore in 1825, she was the only child of free African American parents. After growing up in difficult conditions, she embarked on a career as a traveling speaker on the abolitionist circuit. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper also helped slaves escape through the Underground Railroad and wrote frequently for anti-slavery newspapers. As a journalist and activist, she worked with Frederick Douglass and other reformers, earning a reputation for her writing which led some to refer to her as the "mother" of African American journalism. The house has since been named a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public during special events.

6. Jacob C. White, Jr. Historical Marker

This historical marker is placed where the residence of prominent African American educator, businessman, and baseball player Jacob C. White, Jr. (1837-1902) once stood. In 1868, White, along with his lifelong friend Octavius Catto, founded the one of the city's most important all-Black baseball clubs, the Pythians, which became the best black team in the country. It was also the first to beat an all-white team.

7. African American Museum in Philadelphia

Established in 1976, the African American Museum in Philadelphia is the first museum in the United States created and funded by a local government to help convey the history and heritage of African Americans to United States citizens. The museum covers the period from slavery to civil rights with over 750,000 artifacts and four galleries. Each gallery contains a variety of exhibits that interpret the museum's collection, selecting items from the collection and placing their history within the larger narrative of the African American experience. The museum also offers a variety of special thematic exhibits throughout the year, to ensure that every visit provides a new learning experience. A huge plus for young children visiting the museum is the "Children's Corner", an interactive exhibit where children explore the lives of young African American children.

8. Burning of Pennsylvania Hall in Anti-Abolitionist Riot of 1838

The Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society built Pennsylvania Hall and dedicated the building on May 14, 1838. The building hosted a three-day convention of the city's female abolitionists, but before the end of the meeting, a mob had assembled to disrupt the meeting and attack the women for their opposition to slavery. Although Pennsylvania passed laws providing for the gradual end of slavery in their own state shortly after the American Revolution, many white residents of the city believed that the abolitionists were encouraging Black migration to the area. They also believed that abolitionists were to blame for the growing political strife between the North and the South. The mob grew extremely violent by the third day of the meeting, encouraged by members of the police who seemed to countenance the violence against abolitionists and their property. On May 17th, only three days after the dedication of the building, the anti-abolitionist mob set fire to Pennsylvania Hall and attacked anyone who tried to save the building.

9. All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors

Created by artist Jakob Otto Schweizer in 1934, the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors commemorates Pennsylvania's African American service members who served for the country in wartime. It is located prominently in the north end of Aviator Park next to the Logan Square traffic circle. It consists of finely detailed sculptures of African American military men who cluster about an allegorical figure representing Justice, who holds symbols of Honor and Reward. Above, American eagles surround a torch of life. The other side features four allegorical female figures representing the principles of war, liberty, peace, and plenty. First placed in West Fairmount Park, this work was moved here in 1994.

10. P.R.R. YMCA Athletic Field/Penmar Park/44th & Parkside

Former site of historic stadium that was home to the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro League from 1936-1952. Originally built in 1903 by the Pennsylvania Railroad company for their company football team. The stadium would go on to witness such feats as a 1936 Josh Gibson home run hit out of the stadium and a very eccentric Satchel Page no-hitter.

11. Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park

Located in Philadelphia’s West Parkside neighborhood, the Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park stands in the very spot where the Philadelphia Stars played their home games an Penmar Park. In addition to being the home of the Stars, the ballpark also served as the host to multiple Negro League World Series games in the 1930s and 1940s. The Memorial Park, which was made possible through the coming together of several parties including the MLB and City of Philadelphia in 2004, features a historical site marker, a mural, and a memorial statue.

12. John Coltrane House

The former home of jazz legend, John Coltrane, is located in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of Philadelphia, across the street from Fairmont Park. Coltrane is often credited with transforming jazz music by incorporating musical modes instead of chord progression for harmony. John Coltrane's music is still influencing artists today, not only in jazz but all genres of music. Known to friends and musix lovers as "Trane," John Coltrane lived in this modest rowhouse, which was built in the early years of the 20th century. Coltrane lived here and entertained friends at this address from 1952 until he moved to New York City in 1958. He maintained ownership of the property until his death in 1967, when the home became the property of his cousin, Mary Alexander. Coltrane was on of the most influential and significant jazz musicians of, not just his era, but of all time. In recognition of his significance, the John Coltrane House was designated a National Historic Landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. It 2004 the house was purchased by Norman Gadson, who worked to restore the house right up until his death. Gadson's daughter continues her father's dream, creating the John Coltrane House as a non-profit organization that works to restore the home and open it to the public.

13. Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League

Founded by Marcus Garvey in 1914, the UNIA remains one of the oldest African American fraternal organizations in American history. The organization reached its membership peak in the 1920s but continues to meet in Philadelphia and other major cities under the auspices of the UNIA-ACL.

14. Church of the Advocate

Officially known as the George W. Smith Memorial Church of the Advocate, the stunning North Philadelphia Episcopal sanctuary was built between 1890 and 1897 and funded by the estate of George W. Smith. From the time of its construction, the church has been dedicated to inclusion and fairness. The church played an active role in the civil rights movement and hosted both Black Power and Black Panther conventions. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.

15. Historic Fair Hill

Fair Hill Burial Ground is a 300-year old Quaker burial ground, a site on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a beautiful, fenced, and well maintained 4.5-acres at 2900 Germantown Ave. in North Philadelphia between Lehigh & Allegheny. The final resting place of heroes and heroines of the Underground Railroad, including Lucretia Mott and Robert Purvis.

16. Joe Frazier's Gym

The home gym of former Olympic Gold Medalist and World Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier. After he retired from boxing, Frazier used the gym to train fighters and provide an alternative to the dangers of the streets for local inner-city youths. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April of 2013.

17. Zion Baptist Church and Reverend Leon Sullivan

Zion Baptist Church was established in 1882. Reverend Leon Sullivan was one of the congregation's most influential ministers. He also worked as a civil rights advocate, humanitarian and corporate leader. He is best known for creating the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America as well as the Sullivan Principles which promoted political reform in South Africa.

This Tour is a Driving or Biking Tour.

Driving Tour of African American History in Philadelphia

Created by Michael Tanner on December 4th 2016, 10:00:43 pm.

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Description

This driving tour includes stops at historic sites related to abolitionists and the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the long fight for equal rights throughout the 20th century. It also includes several museums and monuments, historic churches, and the location of ballparks that were home to Philadelphia's leading Negro League teams. The museum includes a stop at Philadelphia's African American Museum and the John Coltrane House.

Entries on This Tour

Driving Tour of African American History in Philadelphia

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