The Black Journey: Philadelphia's Famous 7th Ward

Tour Description:

Meet your guide (holding "The Black Journey" sign) in front of Mother Bethel AME Church 6th and Lombard.

RSVP in advance required.

Call 267.702.3479 for more information.

Philadelphia’s famous Seventh Ward was a thriving and bustling community populated by many Black Philadelphians as well as immigrants from the end of the 18th century until the 1960s. By 1900 the Ward was home to approximately 30% of Black Philadelphians. Boasting the largest Black population in the city, the Seventh Ward was the epicenter of Black culture and home to many past and present African-American schools, churches and institutions as well as abolitionists, educators, athletes and political and women’s civil rights activists.

The Seventh Ward was so fascinating that W.E.B DuBois traveled to Philadelphia to conduct his study of Philadelphia’s Black population residing in the ward. Staying in the Seventh Ward, Dr. DuBois conducted door-to-door in-depth interviews with Black Philadelphians from all walks of life. He witnessed economic, educational, and political discrimination. We will visit the site where W.E.B DuBois penned his book, The Philadelphia Negro published in 1899.

Through this tour, you will visit many of these sites and experience first-hand the remnants of this section of the city. Although this neighborhood went through massive transitions, losing most of its Black residents, in the 1960s due to urban renewal and gentrification, many of the institutions, building, and homes of prominent residents that would have been familiar to Dr. DuBois or visited by him, still remain today. This is your opportunity to join us as we explore this still fascinating community that played a significant role in Black Philadelphia history.

Please wear comfortable sturdy shoes, we will be walking on uneven surfaces. Masks are required. Please be aware that you need to be reasonably fit for the walk, and are responsible for your own safety. Taking part in the tour means you are participating at your own risk. You are also responsible for looking after your own belongings.

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