African American Museum of Philadelphia (AAMP)
701 Arch Street
(215) 574-0380

Thirty years after opening its doors, the African American Museum remains a leader in the preservation and interpretation of African American history and culture. The museum's collection includes more than half a million objects, including paintings, prints, costumes, furnishings, historic documents, musical artifacts, playbills, and books. The AAMP presents a full calendar of special exhibitions and public programs.

Arch Street Friends' Meeting House
4th & Arch Streets
(215) 627-2667

The oldest Friends Meeting House still in use in the city and the largest in the world, Arch Street Friends holds a Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends living in the mid-Atlantic region. Reflecting the pacifist and abolitionist views of many Quakers, in 1779, the friends decided to expel all members who refused to free their slaves. Visitors are welcome to attend worship services, but should note that Quaker meetings gather in silence; there is no human leader and no planned order of service.

Nearby Historic Marker:

After Cyrus Bustill purchased his freedom, he later opened a school for African American children. A marker at 210 Arch Street celebrates his work. Nearby, at 5th & Arch Streets, a marker explains the role of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, a pioneer among grassroots organizations.

Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia
7th and Market Streets
(215) 685-4830

As the City's official history museum, the Atwater Kent tells the 300-year history of Philadelphia's people in the Experience Philadelphia! Gallery as well as in temporary exhibitions. Programs may be arranged drawing from a collection of over 100,000 items based upon adult group interests. The stories of Africans and African-Americans in Philadelphia are reflected in a silver bowl accompanying a slave child to Philadelphia in the 1690s, wrist shackles from the 1700s, African-American Quaker dolls from the early 1800s, a child's coffin from the First African Baptist Church cemetery in the 1830s, and a banner commemorating the life of post-Civil War civil rights leader Octavius V. Catto. These and many others are used to inspire curiosity and awe and a commitment to civic engagement and responsibility.

Independence Hall anchors Philadelphia's Historic District. It was here that the ideals of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence were first put to paper and continually tested. Independence Hall remained a philosophical battleground as legislators would not directly address slavery or explicitly include free Africans within the phrase "We the People." Congress voted to enact the Fugitive Slave Law in Independence Hall, and subsequently, accused fugitives who were captured faced incarceration here as they awaited trial to establish their identity. As an additional insult, the law did not permit accused fugitives to testify on their own behalf. At the same time, Congress passed the 1794 Slave Trade Act, which prohibited American vessels from participating in the Atlantic Slave Trade. It was under this act that 134 Africans found freedom in Pennsylvania, when two American vessels were captured in the Atlantic and brought back to Philadelphia by the U.S. Navy. Presiding federal judge, Richard Peters, turned the Africans over to the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, who through indentures, enabled the newcomers to establish lives in Pennsylvania. Their descendents live in Pennsylvania today.

At the federal courthouse, Independence Hall became an important place for abolition protest against federal laws. Philadelphians assembled outside in anticipation of verdicts in fugitive slave law cases, the most famous being the trial of the Christiana Riot, which took place near Lancaster (1851). The cause celebre of the anti-slavery movement, the trial galvanized national tensions over slavery, when a jury acquitted the defendants of treason. Sometimes other cases also had positive outcomes for freedom seekers. Once, sympathizers pooled their money and purchased a fugitive's freedom at the U.S. Marshal's office in Independence Hall for just $700. Both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass addressed crowds on the grounds of Independence Hall, with a fiery call for equal rights occurring on the lawn behind the building, along Walnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets.

The National Park Service offers a "Quest for Freedom" guided walking tour throughout the spring, summer and autumn. Timed tickets to Independence Hall are available at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets, and can be reserved by phone at (800) 537-7676 or (215) 965-7676.

As you stroll around the area, look for the storytelling benches of Once Upon A Nation sprinkled throughout the Historic District. More than just a place to rest, the benches feature modern-day storytellers sharing the tales of history's famous, infamous, and not-so famous folk, including how abolitionist, businessman, and author William Still was reunited with his brother Peter, one of countless slaves who purchased their own freedom.

Independence Visitor Center
6th & Market Streets
(800) 537-7676, (215) 965-7676

Conveniently centered in the Historic District, the Independence Visitor Center is the place to start a trip in Philadelphia. Grab a bite at the Pennsylvania General Store Café; make some new colonial friends; play at the interactive kiosks; get directions; and pick up tickets to some of Philadelphia's top attractions, including Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center.

Abolitionists adopted the iconic Liberty Bell and its inscription from Leviticus-"Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof"-as symbols of their movement to end the institution of slavery. Part of the Liberty Bell Center teaches visitors about the enslaved Africans who labored at the President's House during George Washington's tenure, plus the 21st-century controversy swirling around the National Park Service's efforts to tell their stories. No tickets are required.

Located on the oldest parcel of land under continuous African American ownership, Mother Bethel houses a museum, including such artifacts as founder Reverend Richard Allen's original pulpit, personal belongings and crypt. Allen preached abolition as early as 1795, and with the help of his wife Sarah, secured food and shelter for newly freed slaves and runaways. Records indicate that as recently as a few years ago, the congregation still included descendants of escaped slaves assisted by Mother Bethel and its sympathizers.

Nearby Historic Markers:

Near Mother Bethel, at 6th and Lombard Streets, stands an historic marker dedicated to the Free African Society, founded by wealthy sail maker James Forten Sr. and Reverends Richard Allen and Absolom Jones. The Society's concepts of identity and unity among the Black community became the forerunner for the nation's first African American churches and civil rights institutions.

A few blocks away, at 336 Lombard Street, another marker specifically honors James Forten, who is believed to have amassed a fortune exceeding $100,000 utilizing a multi-ethnic work force. Additionally, he helped organize the first Negro Convention in Philadelphia in 1830.

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
(215) 409-6600

As the only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution, the National Constitution Center helps visitors explore enslaved Africans' struggle to be considered part of "We the People." Learn more about the 13th amendment, which banned slavery; the 14th amendment, guaranteeing equal protection of the law; and such legal precedents as the Dred Scott Decision and the Emancipation Proclamation. The "American National Tree" exhibition highlights the individuals who have shaped the Constitution and its meaning, including Harriet Tubman and other African Americans.

Once Upon a Nation
Various sites throughout the Historic District
(215) 629-4026

Some stories might be familiar. Others might be old favorites. But when related by Once Upon a Nation's professional storytellers, the lives and deeds of Africans from America's past become spellbinding adventures. Follow the specially marked storytelling benches throughout the Historic District-there are more than a dozen-and set a spell while the storytellers weave their tales from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.

Taking a Stand for Freedom Tour
Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

Danger lurked everywhere for the enslaved Africans who dared to escape and the abolitionists who helped them on their flight to freedom. Follow the path of Philadelphia's Underground Railroad in this interactive tour that includes dramatic re-enactments and tours of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum, and the Johnson House Historic Site. Public tours available May through October. For information call (215) 599-2295 or visit www.gophila.com/neighborhoodtours

Quest for Freedom Walking Tour
Independence National Historical Park
6th & Market Streets
(800) 537-7676 or (215) 965-7676

The National Park Service offers a guided walking tour throughout the spring, summer, and autumn. For times and dates, stop into the Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets.

Washington Square
6th & Walnut Streets
(215) 965-2305

During the city's early years, Africans would regularly congregate here, speaking in their native languages, cooking and dancing to the rhythms of their homeland. New interpretive signs are scattered throughout the park and reveal its history. Listen for the Djembe drum near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington Square. Its beat carries memories of the enslaved Africans who were also gathered in the area and named it Congo Square.

The President's House Commemorative Site

Slated to debut in July 2008 just steps away from the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall, The President's House Commemorative Site will be a permanent, outdoor installation honoring the memory of the nine Africans who were enslaved to President George Washington when he lived here from 1790-1797.

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