Based on the 1838 Census of the Free Black community in HSP’s collection, this walking tour will explore the Center City Philadelphia streets that housed a thriving metropolis of free Black Philadelphians nearly 200 years ago. It revealed almost 19,000 free Black people who created 16 churches, 23 public and private schools, 80 beneficial societies, 300 Black owned businesses and possessed over $40,000,000 in wealth. Join members of the Black Docent Collective to walk through the spaces where people lived, worshipped, attended school and supported charities and social causes, including Emancipation. The tour will visit known Underground Railroad sites, such as William Still’s house.

The walking tour departs from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and will cover an area approximately just over one mile; it will conclude two blocks from its starting point. In the case of bad weather, a cancellation decision will be made by 8 PM on Friday evening, and a refund will be issued. Light rain will not cause a cancellation.