Using | Doing | Teaching Black History

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.

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 workshop 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.

Please register for this workshop here.

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 [email protected].

• April 25, 2025 6:30pm at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and on Zoom
• April 26, 2025 9:30am - 5:30pm at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania only, no Zoom

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.

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, founded in 1824, is one of the nation’s largest archives of historical documents. We are proud to serve as Philadelphia’s Library of American History, with over 21 million manuscripts, books, and graphic images encompassing centuries of US history. Through educator workshops, research opportunities, public programs, and lectures throughout the year, we strive to make history relevant and exhilarating to all. For more information, visit hsp.org.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, United States