Ona Judge's Philadelphia: A Journey to Freedom Tour
About this Event
Step into the world of Ona Judge, the enslaved woman who courageously escaped from George and Martha Washington's household in Philadelphia and claimed her freedom. This powerful walking tour explores the city through the eyes of those who lived the contradictions of liberty in America's first capital.
Visit the sites where Ona Judge lived, worked, and ultimately made the life-changing decision to emancipate herself. Stand outside the President's House, where she was held in bondage by the nation's first family, and learn how Pennsylvania's gradual abolition laws influenced her quest for freedom. Hear the stories of enslaved and free African Americans who challenged oppression, built communities, and helped shape the city and the nation.
Along the way, discover Congo Square, where generations of Black Philadelphians gathered and built community. Visit the resting place of free and enslaved victims of the devastating 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic. Learn about the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 and its impact on freedom seekers throughout the United States. Hear the stories of those who traveled the Underground Railroad and the abolitionists who risked everything to assist them. You'll also learn about the Old London Coffee House, one of Philadelphia's most notorious slave auction sites, where human beings were bought, sold, and inspected as property.
Visit Mother Bethel AME Church, the spiritual home of the African Methodist Episcopal Church founded by Richard Allen. Learn how Philadelphia became home to the largest free Black population in the United States during the early nineteenth century, creating a vibrant community that fostered Black institutions, entrepreneurship, abolitionist activism, and mutual aid networks that helped redefine freedom in America.
Walk in the footsteps of enslaved people, freedom seekers, abolitionists, slaveholders, and founding fathers. Explore the complex history behind Philadelphia's reputation as the birthplace of liberty and discover the people whose struggles expanded the meaning of freedom for future generations.
An unforgettable journey through the city's hidden history, Ona Judge's Philadelphia offers one of the most authentic, thought-provoking, and engaging historical experiences in the nation.
Sites Visited
- President's House
- Liberty Bell
- Independence Hall
- Congress Hall
- Congo Square
- Mother Bethel AME Church
- Old London Coffee House
- Potters Field (Yellow Fever Burial Ground)
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 23.18 to USD 39.19
