Harriet Tubman: The Philadelphia Connection

Temple University Libraries

Curator Emeritus Charles L. Blockson, an expert on The Underground Railroad, will talk about his research on Harriet Tubman.

Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection

Join us at the Blockson Collection for a conversation with Curator Emeritus Charles L. Blockson and Cody Anderson. Mr. Blockson, an expert on the Underground Railroad, will talk about his research on Harriet Tubman, who escaped from Delaware in 1849.In 1984, Mr. Blockson wrote the first cover story and first article by an African American published by National Geographic on the Underground Railroad, which included a cover image of Harriet Tubman created by Philadelphia native Jerry Pinkney. Mr. Blockson organized the first tour from Harriet Tubman’s home in Bucktown, Maryland through Philadelphia and New York to St. Catharine’s, Canada, sponsored by National Geographic Magazine. As a result of this article, he was invited to chair the National Park Service Underground Railroad Advisory Committee. Mr. Blockson has written four books about the Underground Railroad. He also inherited 39 personal items of Harriet Tubman from her great-niece Merlie Wilkens, which he donated to the National African American Museum of History and Culture inWashington, DC. As part of this program, Mr. Blockson will also discuss untold stories of some of the freedom seekers connected to the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia including the Johnson House and Camp William Penn. He will also talk about William Still, Thomas Garrett, Lucretia Mott, Frederick Douglass, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, and John Brown.  This program is in partnership with the Special Committee on 400 Years of African American History, 1619 to 2019, and the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs.Programs offered by Temple University Libraries are accessible to people with disabilities. Please contact Richie Holland, Director of Library Administration, at richieh@temple.edu or 215-204-3455 for more information, to request an accommodation, or with questions/concerns.

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Harriet Tubman: The Philadelphia Connection

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Harriet Tubman: The Philadelphia Connection

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