The African American Settlement of Six Penny Creek: Charcoal, Iron, and the Underground Railroad
Schedule
Sat, 14 Feb, 2026 at 10:00 am
UTC-05:00Location
940 Centre Ave, Reading, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19601 | Reading, PA
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February Second Saturday Lecture: "The African-American Settlement of Six Penny Creek: Charcoal, Iron, and the Underground Railroad"Saturday, February 14, 2026 • 10:00 AM
Discover the hidden history of Six Penny Creek, a small rural African-American community near Hopewell Furnace that played a vital role on the Underground Railroad. Residents worked the surrounding land producing charcoal to fuel the local iron furnace, simultaneously aiding the movement and hiding of people escaping slavery and ensuring the survival of their own community.
Historian Dr. Benjamin Carter of Muhlenberg College will share how recent archaeological research sheds new light on the lives of Six Penny Creek residents and their critical contributions to the Underground Railroad. This lecture offers a unique perspective on the intersection of labor, community, and resistance in early American history.
Cost: $5 for BHC Members • $10 for Non-Members
Location: Berks History Center, 940 Centre Ave., Reading, PA
Parking: Off-street parking is available in the BHC lot at 160 Spring Street, Reading, PA 19601
Snow Date: February 21, 2026, in the event of inclement weather
~About the Speaker~
Benjamin Carter, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Department Chair at Muhlenberg College, as well as Coordinator of the Sociology/Anthropology Lab. A Registered Professional Archaeologist, Dr. Carter has conducted extensive research on historical and archaeological topics, including African-American communities and early American settlements.
He earned his B.A. in Anthropology with minors in Archaeology and Chemistry from Drew University (1996), followed by an A.M. (2000) and Ph.D. (2008) in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis. His dissertation explored shell artifact production among the Manteno people of Coastal Ecuador
For more information and to register, please visit: https://berkshistory.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F29251
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Where is it happening?
940 Centre Ave, Reading, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19601Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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