Hands-on History Presents: The Elite of Our People

Special Collectionsenhance the educational mission of the Free Library by assembling and making accessible historic materials, providing reliable and knowledgeable research services, and offering instructional programs that promote understanding of our shared cultural heritage. Many items in Special Collections are searchable in thepublic catalog, throughFinding Aids, or in ourDigital Collections. Please contact the collections for further details.

Free Library of Philadelphia, Rare Book Department

Handle photographs, illustrations, and documents illustrative of middle-class African Americans in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Rare Book Department - Free Library of Philadelphia, 3rd floor

Interact with rarely seen archives and artifacts that speak to the Philadelphia community once described as “The Elite of Our People” by 1840s black resident Joseph Willson, in a program led by the Free Library&#x27;s Kalela Williams. Handle photographs, illustrations, and documents that illustrate some of the schools, churches, and entertainments that middle-class African Americans enjoyed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and discuss how these objects speak to today&#x27;s Philadelphia.Take history in the palm of your hand: turn pages, hold manuscripts, and handle artifacts with the Hands-on History series from the Free Library&#x27;s Special Collections. Curiosity seekers of all ages are welcome! Attendance is free, but reservations are suggested. Click here to get your free tickets!Find out more about the <a href="http://freelibrary.org/handsonhistory" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Hands-on History series!</a>

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Hands-on History Presents: The Elite of Our People

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