State historical marker placed at the former residence of the prominent African American educator, businessman, and baseball player Jacob C. White, Jr. (1837-1902). White, along with his friend Octavius Catto, founded the one of the city's most important all-black baseball clubs, the Pythians.
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.
The child of formerly enslaved parents, William Still (1821-1902) dedicated his life to the abolition of slavery and protection of fugitives from slavery. His house at 625 South Delhi Street (then called Ronaldson Street) in Philadelphia was a stop on the Underground Railroad from 1850 to 1855. As chair of the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society's Vigilance Committee, Still organized Underground Railroad efforts in the city and further afield. After the abolition of slavery, he wrote an extensive book on the Underground Railroad. In 2017-2018, preservationists positively identified the house as one of the places Still and his wife Letitia (1821-1906) had lived and sheltered those who had escaped slavery. The Keeping Society of Philadelphia nominated the site to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.
This was the historic location of one of America’s most influential historic schools, The Institute for Colored Youth, predecessor to Cheyney University. In 1902, the Institute secured a new location at a farm in Cheyney and this building became home to the Samuel J. Randall School. The Institute was established by Quakers and became one of the first schools in the United States devoted to the education of black youth. Many of the graduates of the Institute for Colored Youth became leaders in the fight to abolish slavery leading up to the Civil War. Later graduates led efforts to establish legal and political equality for African Americans in the 19th century.
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.
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.
In August, 1842, a white mob attacked a procession held in honor of the anniversary of the end of slavery in the British Caribbean. The riot lasted for several days and nearly led to the burning of the homes of black leaders.
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.
Anthony Benezet was a French-born American Quaker and teacher who helped educate numerous African American children from his home which was located here in the decades leading up to the American Revolution. Benezet was one of the leading abolitionists in the city during the 18th century and authored numerous articles that influenced the nascent antislavery movement.
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.
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.
Located at the corner of 4th and New Streets, right next to the Ben Franklin Bridge, St. George’s is the oldest Methodist church in continuous use in the United States. The congregation was founded in 1767, moved into its current location in 1769 and has been there ever since. It played a pivotal role in the development of Methodism in the U.S. due to its links to the A.M.E denomination as well as the Methodist leaders who preached within its confines. The church still welcomes worshippers every Sunday and has opened a Methodist museum and archives on the premises. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Finely detailed sculptures of African American military men cluster about an allegorical figure representing Justice, who holds symbols of Honor and Reward. Above, American eagles surround a torch of life. First placed in West Fairmount Park, this work was moved to a prominent position on the Parkway in 1994.
Constructed as a luxury apartment building in 1892, this structure became home to the Lorraine Hotel in 1900. Father Divine, the leader of the Universal Peace Movement, acquired the building in 1948 and operated the Divine Hotel which welcomed all regardless of race and religion so long as they agreed to follow the rules for guests. With its primarily African American congregation that followed Father Divine, an African American who developed a large national following and even larger real estate portfolio. The Divine Hotel placed men and women in different sides of the hotel and barred alcohol, smoking, and immodest dress and behavior. Divine's wealth attracted numerous investigations and reports of impropriety and mishandling funds meant for the church. Today, the building is once again home to luxury apartments
Often called the "Godmother of Rock 'n Roll" and the "original soul sister," gospel singer-songwriter Sister Rosetta Tharpe was famous for her spiritual lyrics, rhythm-and-blues musical style, and distorted electric guitar playing which later became iconic in the rock 'n roll genre. Tharpe influenced artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard, and in recent years, many have rediscovered her music. After living in Richmond for a decade during the height of her career, Tharpe moved to Philadelphia in 1957. She was a first-generation resident of Philadelphia's Yorktown neighborhood where she lived in a house on Master Street until her death in 1973. On October 24, 2011, a historical marker was placed in front of the former music legend's home by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. According to author Gayle Wald, Tharpe responded to claims about the "new" style of rock and roll by demonstrating that music, like everything else, has a history. "Oh, these kids and rock and roll," Tharpe exclaimed according to the author's accounts, "this is just sped up rhythm and blues."
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.
First African Presbyterian Church was established in 1807 by the former slave, Reverend John Gloucester. First African Presbyterian Church was the first African American Presbyterian Congregation in America. Founded as First Colored Presbyterian, the congregation has been known as First African Presbyterian Church since 1966 and has worshipped at this building on Girard Avenue since 1957.
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.
Established in 1792, St. Thomas African Episcopal Church became the first Episcopal Church with African American leaders and congregants. The congregation dates back to discrimination against black members at St. George's Methodist Church which inspired black members to form the Free African Society. After white clergy and members of St. George's continued to relegate black members to separate pews and second-class membership, black members formed their own congregation under the leadership of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen. In 1802, Jones became the first African American to be ordained to the ministry by Episcopal Bishop William White. During the antebellum period, leaders and members of this congregation actively supported abolitionists and assisted efforts to assist enslaved persons escape via the Underground Railroad.
One of the most tragic events in Philadelphia’s history occurred on May 13, 1985, when the police bombed a residence on Osage Avenue. The home belonged to MOVE, an organization whose members supported a variety of causes from civil rights to animal rights and the rejection of technology. The organization’s unorthodox methods, such as shouting the teachings of their founder, John Africa, through a loudspeaker, earned the ire of some of their neighbors. This also led to tensions between city officials and escalating confrontation with police. In May of 1985, police attacked the barricaded house and dropped a makeshift bomb on the building’s rooftop. The attack ignited a fire that killed several members of MOVE, including children. The fire spread through the community and destroyed three city blocks and left 250 people homeless. To date, this has been the only aerial bombing of a private residence carried out by police officers on American solid.
This Tour is a Thematic Tour or Heritage Trail.
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This heritage trail begins on Philadelphia's Lombard Street with historical markers and homes that commemorate the lives of businessman Jacob C. White and writer Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. The tour moves north through the city and includes numerous landmarks, sculptures, historic churches, and several museums and institutions dedicated to preserving and sharing African American history.
