The exhibition Black Histories of Philadelphia observes the stories of people and places that make up Philadelphia’s countless histories. Some stories are kept, some fade over time, and others are misrepresented or silenced. The people featured in this exhibition created change through determination and innovation. They overcame obstacles and fought for their successes, just as community members today fight to keep their legacies alive.

Black Histories of Philadelphia features objects from the Children’s Literature Research Collection, the Map Collection, and the Print and Picture Collection. It will be on view in the Second Floor West Gallery of Parkway Central Library from Monday, January 27, 2025, to April 12, 2025.

Related Topics

Dive deeper into the Black Histories of Philadelphia exhibition. Discover more about innovative printmaker Dox Thrash, learn about the many firsts of Sadie T. M. Alexander, explore Julian Abele’s elegant architectural designs, and jam out to the jazz of John Coltrane.

Spotify Playlist

Many individuals featured in this exhibition were performers or the inspiration for musical works themselves. Just as a map provides context for a geographical location, music provides insight into a period of time. More than that — it’s just fun to listen to! 

Further Reading

Read more about the people in this exhibition in their own words. As we put together Black Histories of Philadelphia, we consulted many of these books to present these icons as they presented themselves. Explore more of Philadelphia’s Black history, and learn how you too can work towards preserving historic sites that are important to you. 

Black History Month

Find further information about Black History Month from the Free Library, including upcoming events, podcasts, booklists, databases, and more!