Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church
Artwork courtesy of Print and Picture Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia.
William Penn had intended for Washington Square to be a public park. For nearly one hundred years, however, it served as a burial ground for the poor and abandoned. On holidays, the Square became a place where the black community gathered to socialize. Washington Square also served as a cemetery for soldiers who died during the Revolutionary War and for victims of the dreaded yellow fever epidemic. It was not called Washington Square until 1825.
The Independence National Historical Park memorializes the birth of our nation. It includes structures and sites in central Philadelphia associated with the American Revolution and the founding of the United States: the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were created), Congress Hall, Old City Hall, the First and Second Banks of the United States, Carpenters' Hall (where the First Continental Congress met), the New Hall Military Museum (which highlights the role of the army, navy, and marines from 1775-1800), Franklin Court (a complex of exhibits about Benjamin Franklin on the site of his home), the Todd House (a building which provides a glimpse into the lives of a young Quaker family and the yellow fever epidemic which destroyed them), the Bishop White House (the upper class home of Bishop William White and his family), and Christ Church (built between 1727 and 1754). The Park also oversees the Deshler-Morris House which served as the British headquarters during the battle of Germantown in 1777, and as President George Washington's official residence during the yellow fever epidemic.
The original purposes of the Park were: (1) to preserve and protect sites associated with the American Revolution, (2) to talk about Philadelphia as the capital of the United States from 1790-1800, and (3) to honor Benjamin Franklin. Since its creation in 1948, the park has expanded its historical interpretations to include the roles of Philadelphia's diverse populations, including free African Americans (National Park Service, Department of the Interior).
The National Park Service has published a very interesting and beautifully illustrated guide to the riches of this Park, appropriately titled "Independence: A Guide to Independence National Historical Park." It includes an essay by Richard B. Morris that provides an overview of the many historical persons, places, and events associated with the Park. There is also a special section which portrays and provides a capsule description of each of the principal historical locations within the Park, together with suggestions regarding the best way to go about seeing them. Available in bookstores at Visitor Center of Independence National Historical Park and the West Wing of Independence Hall.
The Park sponsors a special Yellow Fever Tour. In 1793, Philadelphia was the capital of Pennsylvania and of the United States. When the yellow fever epidemic struck, government officials swiftly joined the flood of people streaming out of the city. the Mayor remained, and called for volunteers to provide basic, necessary services during the crisis -- which claimed the lives of an estimated ten per cent of the city's population. Using Old City Hall as a headquarters, the Mayor and his committee of fewer than two dozen volunteers buried the dead, nursed the sick, and cared for children who had lost their parents. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones were among those who remained in the city and who assumed leadership in helping the government cope with the epidemic. This tour highlights yellow fever sites in the Historic Area of Philadelphia, including: Elfreth's Alley (where the yellow fever was first diagnosed), the Arch St. Friends Meetinghouse, Christ Church Cemetery, and St. Peter's Church (sites of dozens of yellow fever burials); Old City Hall (headquarters of the Mayor and his volunteer committee); Saint Thomas Church (founded by Absalom Jones, who led the African American volunteers during the epidemic); Washington Square (burial ground for many victims of the epidemic); Pennsylvania Hospital; Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church (founded by Richard Allen, another leader of the African American volunteers during the crisis); the site of Dr. Benjamin Rush's house (who treated patients, and instructed others in his methods); Bishop White's house (who remained in the city to provide spiritual comfort); and the Second Bank Portrait Gallery (where the faces of those touched by the epidemic can be seen and their stories told). Arrangements for a tour can be made by phoning (215) 597 - 0060.
There is also a School District of Philadelphia Museum Teacher in the Park who holds special classes on colonial Philadelphia for students and conducts special tours in the park. She has also created a school district program which features a number of early African American historical sites. School District of Philadelphia teachers can make arrangements for classes and tours by calling 597-9669. The Museum Teacher in the Park takes reservations only twice a year, the first week of school in September and the week following the Christmas holidays in January.
Artwork courtesy of National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Artwork courtesy of Valley Forge National Historical Park, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Artwork courtesy of National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
The African-American Museum in Philadelphia features collections which focus on African American themes, and offers many programs and special exhibits. Its four galleries house a permanent collection of African American art and historic photographs of Philadelphia. It also hosts numerous special events of an historical, cultural, and artistic nature. Its current exhibition, "Amistad: The First Decade and Beyond," runs through October 31, and features 6,000 items depicting black life in the United States, including: glimpses of the slave trade, the abolitionist movement, black military service, various wars, and Reconstruction. Most recently, the African-American Museum was the site of a preview of "Struggles of the Shadows," a film documentary relating the history of free African youth in Philadelphia prior to 1863 which was produced by five teenagers from the Philadelphia School District. The preview was followed by a unique tour of Revolutionary African American sites made possible by Independence National Historical Park (National Park Service, Department of the Interior). The African-American Museum in Philadelphia is located at 7th and Arch Streets, (215) 574 - 0380.
The Quaker Information Center provides access to a wide variety of literature about Quaker history and referrals to Quaker resources, including the Friends Historical Association. There is a rich regional history worth exploring: The Quakers first declared that they were opposed to slavery in Germantown in 1688. Anthony Benezet, a tireless Quaker advocate for the rights of African Americans, opened a school to educate free blacks in his home on Chestnut Street in 1750. In 1776, the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends decided that it was no longer acceptable for its members to own slaves. A group of Quakers helped establish the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery in 1787. The Society lobbied for the passage of legislation which made Pennsylvania the first state to abolish slavery. Quaker anti-slavery activities brought William Lloyd Garrison to Philadelphia to organize the American Anti-Slavery Society. Quakers' interest in the abolition of slavery helped make Philadelphia a major hub of the Underground Railroad. Both the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society which Lucretia Mott helped establish, and Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, headed by Robert Purvis, were actively involved with the Underground Railroad. Lucretia Mott and Robert Purvis were both buried at Fair Hill Burial Ground, which present day Quakers from Philadelphia are working to restore. The Quaker Information Center is located at 15th and Cherry Streets in Philadelphia, (215) 241-7024, or can be reached by e-mail at quakerinfo@afsc.org (please include your postal address when e-mailing). Click here to access the Center's web site.
The John Dickinson Plantation in Dover, Delaware is a state museum consisting of a completely restored estate. Tours of the plantation integrate information and insights into the lifestyles of Dickinson's slaves and of free blacks.
Before the Civil War, Delaware was an important link in the Underground Railroad system helping runaway slaves travel to freedom in Canada. Stopping places along the way became known as stations. The Appoquinimink Friends Meeting House in Odessa was an Underground Railroad station. Others included: Wild Cat Manor and Great Geneva in Camden; Star Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church; the John Dickinson Plantation in Dover; Clearfield Farm in Smyrna; the Mother African Union Protestant Church and Thomas Garrett's home in Wilmington. To link to a site describing the Appoquinimink Friends Meeting House, enter http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/underground/. Click on "List of Sites." You will find a link to the site under "Delaware."
Philadelphia, especially the Germantown section, was a center for activities aimed at abolishing slavery. During the mid-1850's, the Johnson House in Germantown was a key station on the Underground Railroad. Its Quaker owners belonged to important abolitionist groups, and helped many escaped slaves seeking shelter as they journeyed northwards. Escaping slaves were usually hidden in the attic, or concealed in outbuildings like the barn. According to tradition, both Harriet Tubman and William Still also visited the Johnson House. The Johnson House, located at 6306 Germantown Avenue, is the city's only documented station on the Underground Railroad that is open and accessible for public tours. Phone (215) 438-1768 for an appointment. To link to a site describing the Johnson House, enter http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/underground/. Click on "list of Sites." You will find a link to the site under "Pennsylvania."
The Peter Mott House in Lawnside, New Jersey is the nation's only remaining "safe house" for slaves that was owned by a free black man. Lawnside (in Camden County) is a town that was once known as Free Haven, because it provided a haven for those fleeing slavery. Dating back to colonial times, it is thought to be the only historically African-American incorporated municipality in the northern United States. The Peter Mott House is currently being restored by the local historical society in Lawnside, located eight miles southeast of Camden, New Jersey. Tours can be arranged by calling (609) 547-8489. To learn more about the Peter Mott House, use the search engine at http://www.phillynews.com to locate a number of related articles. (Click on "search." Type "The Peter Mott House" in the "words to search for" box, then click on search "all Philadelphia online sites.")
In 1816, Richard Allen of Philadelphia convened a conference of Black Methodist Episcopal churches and asked them to band together. They did, declaring their right to exist as an independent denomination, and a unified church was born : the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church. Some current members of that church are descended from escaped slaves who had been helped by members of Mother Bethel's original congregation. The present church, located at 419 Richard Allen Avenue (Lombard Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets), houses an interesting museum.
313 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2778
(215) 597-8787
P.O. Box 953
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0953
(610) 783-1000
Valley Forge National Historical Park was the site of the Continental Army's winter encampment (1777-78). It contains General George Washington's headquarters, original earthworks, a variety of monuments and markers, reconstructed log buildings, and replica cannon. Throughout the year, the Park offers weekend programs on a variety of interesting topics such as: a Continental soldier's life, training, clothing, shelter, weaponry, chain of command, and fortifications. One, titled "Liberty, Freedom, Equality -- for All?" focuses on the hardships African Americans endured at Valley Forge, and how they risked their lives to secure freedom for a nation in which their own freedom was not guaranteed. In December, there is a reenactment of the Continental army's march into Valley Forge and winter encampment there. Children ages 6-12 are invited to participate in the opening ceremonies.
Call the Valley Forge National Historical Park at (610) 783 - 1077 for additional information on these programs. Click here to view a Resource Guide for teachers and students. Appendix I of the Resource Guide profiles the roles of African Americans in the Washington's army during the Revolutionary War, including those at Valley Forge. (National Park Service, Department of the Interior)
2 Mark Bird Lane
Elverson, PA 19520-9505
(610) 582 - 8773
Hopewell Furnace National Historical Site was founded in 1771 by Mark Bird, who was already an important figure in the booming colonial iron industry. When the English prohibited the building of more ironworks, Americans defied the law. By 1789, Hopewell Furnace was Pennsylvania's second largest producer of iron. The workforce at Hopewell included people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including African-Americans -- first as slaves and later as temporarily employed runaway slaves and freedmen. Today, it is one of the finest examples of a rural American 19th century iron plantation, with buildings that include a blast furnace, ironmaster's mansion, and other auxiliary structures.
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