Co-hosted by 1838 Black Metropolis
In partnership with the 1838 Black Metropolis, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania will host a two-day workshop on the theme of breathing life into the archives, focusing widely on liberation and civil rights histories through several centuries in the Philadelphia metro region. The program complements the current exhibit Free, As One: Black Worldmaking in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers.
Historian and artist Nell Irvin Painter will present “Arrived, New Names,” as the keynote address Friday evening. Sharing insights about her commissioned artwork focused on William Still’s Journal C of the Underground Railroad, she will set the tone for exploring how creative projects can share complicated and compelling histories. In her talk, she will dive into her research into 19th century anti-slavery movements and the interwoven literary, political, and artistic work of the Black communities.
The teach-in on Saturday will invite participants to share strategies on how archival collections can be used to reclaim and restore community history, with a focus on our collective knowledge of Black history in Philadelphia. This event convenes teachers, students, docents, volunteers, artists, museum professionals, family historians, and other public history practitioners to learn from and share with one another. Presentations will center public history, its uses, challenges, and applications in the classroom, informal learning spaces and with the public.
Community Resource Fair
Join us at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on Friday before the Keynote Address for light bites and a community resource fair. See what our history organizations, libraries, and creative community has to offer those interested in Black history. Included with ticket price.
Interested in tabling? Visit us at hsp.org/pas250 and fill out the form. No tabling fees!
Historical Society of Pennsylvania Members
Please register for this workshop here.
Collections and Library Access at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
The Reading Room will not be open on Saturday, April 26. Special access reserved for workshop attendees will be offered on Friday, April 25 from 1 pm-4 pm. Please email programs@hsp.org.
Ticketing
Your general admission onsite ticket is good for both Friday evening and Saturday. All registrants will receive the Zoom link for Friday evening's keynote address an hour before the talk. If you can only join us onsite Saturday, you will still receive the Zoom link and a recording of the talk.
We wish to provide complimentary tickets to current secondary, undergraduate, and graduate students. Please email us at bquade@hsp.org and tell us where you are enrolled as a student and in what program.
Schedule
Download a full schedule with presentation titles here.
Friday, April 25
4:30 p.m. - Community Resource Fair, Free, As One exhibit viewing, and light reception
6:30 p.m. - Arrived, New Names: Keynote Address with Nell Irvin Painter
Saturday, April 26
8:00 a.m. - Registration and light breakfast
8:45 a.m. - Welcome
9:00 a.m. - Panel 1: Grassroots History and Community Preservation
This session highlights the importance of community-driven efforts to preserve, protect, and share Black history at historic sites.
- Moderator: Faye Anderson
- Presenters: Shamele Jordon and Linda Shockley; Dr. Abdul-Rahim Muhammad; Samuel Still; Laura Keim and Stephanye Watts.
10:30 a.m. - Panel 2: Art, Writing & Storytelling as Historical Interpretation
This panel explores how artistic expression—through literature, digital media, and performance—brings Black history to life and fosters deeper engagement with historical narratives.
- Moderator: Morgan Lloyd
- Presenters: Octavia McBride-Ahebee; Pamela Mays McDonald; Mona R. Washington; Reet Starwind; Alisha Laws.
11:45 a.m. - Lunch on your Own
1:00 p.m. - Panel 3: Personal Passion to Tell Untold Histories
This panel focuses on personal research projects that have resulted in sharing little-known stories with the broader public.
- Moderator: Michiko Quinones
- Presenters: Tyler Diaz; Faye Anderson; Michael Clemmons; Michael Kearney.
2:30 p.m. - Panel 4: Education & Public Engagement
This panel explores innovative ways to teach and engage the public with Black history—whether in classrooms, digital spaces, or through community programs.
- Moderator: Richard White
- Presenters: Rann Miller; Amy Jane Cohen; Haley Kowal and Ms. Brown; Dennis Gregg.
4:00 p.m. - Panel 5: Walking Tours, Mapping, & Local History
This panel focuses on local history initiatives that use walking tours, mapping, and public history to connect communities with Black historical narratives.
- Moderator: Melissa Benbow Flowers
- Presenters: Judith Robinson; Paul Schopp; Adrienne Rhodes and Eric Zino; Carolyn C. Williams.
5:15 p.m. - Wrap up and next steps
Support for PAS 250 programming comes from The Haverford Trust Company and the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Endowment Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation.
Ticketing
Your general admission onsite ticket is good for both Friday evening and Saturday. All registrants will receive the Zoom link for Friday evening's keynote address an hour before the talk. If you can only join us onsite Saturday, you will still receive the Zoom link and a recording of the talk.
We wish to provide complimentary tickets to current secondary, undergraduate, and graduate students. Please email us at bquade@hsp.org and tell us where you are enrolled as a student and in what program.
