Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

LIVING HISTORY DAYS
During Living History Days, participants can hear about the danger and bravery of the Underground Railroad from the people who lived it, as historic re-enactors portray the lives of abolitionists, activists and others who lived the courage of their convictions..

Ongoing Programs:

• Saturdays, June 30-Labor Day weekend, 2:00 p.m.: In Sun and Snow – Two young women—one black and one white—share their very different life experiences in Philadelphia during the days of slavery and the Underground Railroad in a one-act play based on real diaries. Atwater Kent Museum, 15 S. 7^th Street, (215) 685-4830
• Daily through September 3, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Once Upon A Nation – Storytellers regale visitors with tales about people related to the Underground Railroad. Locations and stories include:
  • Independence Hall: Speaking Out for Freedom: Frederick Douglass
  •  Independence Living History Center: Henry Box Brown; Heartbeat of Africa
  • Arch Street Meeting House: Hunchback of the Quaker Meeting; Fiery Grimke Sisters; Isaac Hopper
  • National Constitution Center: General Tuban; It Be Me, Peter; Octavius Catto; Fanny Kemble’s Civil Wars

July-September Happenings:

• July 7 and August 4, 2:00 p.m.: Sanctuary – Harriet Tubman, William Still and Lucretia Mott speak about their experiences with the Underground Railroad, while soloist Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, “The Black Swan,” performs to raise funds for the cause. Belmont Mansion, 2000 Belmont Mansion Drive, (215) 878-8844
• July 14 and August 11, 2:00 p.m.: Tribute to William Still – The reunion of William Still and his brother Peter and the saga of Henry “Box” Brown, who shipped himself north to freedom in a box, are recreated in a powerful performance accented with a chorus of freedom songs and traditional Negro spirituals. Civil War & Underground Railroad Museum, 1805 Pine Street, (215) 735-8196
• July 28, August 25 and September 1, 2:00 p.m.: Freedom’s Soldiers – During this re-enactment, Frederick Douglass inspires free blacks to enlist in the Union Army, and Lucretia Mott offers land for their training ground at Camp William Penn. Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, 419 S. 6^th Street, (215) 925-0616

TOURS
With each step and each mile of these tours, visitors encounter stories of the Underground Railroad in the places where they happened.

• June 23; July 7, 14 and 28; August 11, 18 and 25; 12:00 noon: Quest for Freedom Walking Tours – Many of the people, the places and the events surrounding the Underground Railroad were located in Philadelphia, within steps of Independence Hall. This tour explores the sites and tells the stories of how the nation declared freedom for some, but not for all, of its people. Sites include: Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, Independence and Washington Square Parks and the President’s House. Independence Visitor Center, 5^th & Market Street, (215) 518-5406
• June 30, July 21, August 4 and September 1, 12:00 noon: Taking A Stand for Freedom Bus Tours – Danger lurked everywhere for enslaved Africans who dared to escape and the abolitionists helping them on their journey. 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, Cliveden, the Concord School House and the Johnson House Historic Site. Independence Visitor Center, 5^th & Market Street, (215) 599-2295, www.gophila.com/neighborhoodtours
• Every Wednesday and Saturday in July and August, 3:30 p.m.: Underground Railroad Walking Tour – Follow National Park Service rangers along the streets of Philadelphia and learn about the city’s role in the Underground Railroad. Independence Visitor Center, 5^th & Market Street, (800) 537-7676
• July 30 and August 27, 1:00 and 2:30 p.m.: Kennett Square Underground Railroad Bus Tours – Escorted bus tours take participants to some significant Underground Railroad sites. Chester County Visitors Center, Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, (610) 347-2237

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Throughout the summer, ongoing and special events, exhibitions and activities provide opportunities to dig deep into the roots of the Underground Railroad.

• Daily through September 3: Eyewitness: American Originals from the National Archives – Eyewitness accounts of moments in U.S. history are told through letters, diaries, photographs and audio and film recordings from the National Archives. A supplemental exhibition, Philadelphia Treasures, also features a copy of the first written protest against slavery, the Minute Book of the first Underground Railroad organization and a letter from a runaway slave to his wife. National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Streets, (215) 409-6600
• Daily, year-round: The Story of We the People – Among the artifacts that explore how the Constitution did and did not assure rights for all Americans are a rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, exhibitions on the Dred Scott Decision and the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th amendments to the Constitution. National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Streets, (215) 409-6600
• Daily, July and August, 10:30 a.m.: President’s House PowerPoint Presentations – Park rangers present some of the findings of the archaeological dig at the President’s House. Independence Visitor Center, 5th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676
• Fridays, June 22-September 14, 2:00 p.m.: Quest for Freedom – A silver bowl that accompanied a slave child to the United States, iron shackles, documents and other precious and rare artifacts come out of the archives and set the stage for an exploration of the lives of people who experienced slavery and the Underground Railroad. Atwater Kent Museum, 15 S. 7^th Street, (215) 685-4830
• Saturdays, July 7-September 1, 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: Family Fun Days – Days are filled with games, historic re-enactments, crafts, live performances and other family friendly activities. African American Museum of Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380
• June 19, 12 noon-4:00 p.m.: Sharing the Heritage Juneteenth National Freedom Day – Day includes family activities, re-enactments, readings, music and dance. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380
• June 19, 5:30-7:00 p.m.: Juneteenth Book Signing and Event – Authors Nat Brandt and Yanna Kroyt Brandt read from their their new book, In the Shadow of the Civil War: Passmore Williamson and the Rescue of Jane Johnson. Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust Street, (215) 546-3181
• June 28, 6:30 p.m.: Land of Lincoln – Andrew Ferguson discusses his new book Land of Lincoln, a curiosity-fueled coast-to-coast journey through contemporary Lincoln Nation. Reservations required. National Constitution Center, 5^th & Arch Streets, (215) 409-6700
• July 6 and August 3, 12 noon-2:00 p.m.: Open House at the National Archives– Get an introduction to genealogical research and learn how to use the archives. Mid-Atlantic National Archives, 900 Market Street, (215) 606-0100
• July 14 and August 11, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: Second Saturday Research – Conduct family tree research with the help of staff. Mid-Atlantic National Archives, 900 Market Street, (215) 606-0100

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside™ a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Contact(s):

• Eric Cortes, (215) 599-0790