Five New Markers Slated for Philadelphia in 2008
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for the Historic Preservation Program has recommended five new markers regarding African American History be placed in Philadelphia. The commission has approved 43 markers across the state of Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia new markers include: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mother Theresa Maxis,Jane Johnson, Freedom Now Rally Philadelphia and Joseph and Amy Cassey .
Sister Rosetta Tharpe is significant figure in the history of gospel music. She popularized gospel music into the main stream and gave the style a wide audience. She collaborated with and influenced numerous famous musicians. She called Philadelphia her home for more than 15 years.
Mother Theresa Maxis was the first US-born African American nun; a charter member of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the nation's first congregation of African American sisters; and founder of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, now established throughout the US and Latin America.
Jane Johnson is one of most important stories of the Underground Railroad, pitting a determined slave and skillful Underground Railroad apparatus defending PA freedom against the Federal. govt. and Southern slavery.
Joseph and Amy Cassey Philadelphia were African American abolitionists who associated with prominent abolitionists such as Wm. Lloyd Garrison and James Forten. Jos. Cassey was distributor for Garrison's newspaper The Liberator. They also supported education and women's rights and were members of several benevolent organizations.
A final marker will recognize the Freedom Now Rally activities in Philadelphia. This Important Civil Rights Rally in which Dr. Martin Luther King, in the midst of many of his Civil rights successes, and at the height of his notoriety, visited several sites in Philadelphia to encourage local movements and assist with fund-raising efforts.
For more information on the New Markers and the dedication schedule please visit the PHMC website.
New Home Unveiled for Blockson Collection
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
By Kim Fischer
The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection officially opened the doors to its new, larger, more prominent space on the first floor of Sullivan Hall during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 11. Previously housed in separate rooms totaling less than 2,000 square feet, the collection now occupies a single, contiguous, 3,000-square-foot space. The spacious new home provides greater room to display the collection’s wide variety of historic items and gives researchers additional room to work.
Alumnus Donates Books on Education, Culture and the Arts in Africa
Temple University Libraries, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection recently received a generous gift of books on education, culture and the arts in Africa by Dr. Jack Lutz, a distinguished alumnus of the College of Education. Dr. Lutz has traveled the world through initiatives and programs that brought a quality education to all. Dr. Lutz spent most of his time in Africa, and from that experience he gained a passion for its culture. He also began collecting books and materials that help tell the history and story of those he met overseas. These books and materials have since been donated to the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University Libraries. To read the interview with Dr. Lutz and Nicole Restaino of Temple University Libraries. please go HERE.
Fox News and Profiles Charles Blockson
Man Amasses Black History Treasure Trove
Saturday, February 23, 2008
By Kathy Matheson Associated Press Writer
PHILADELPHIA — As a child growing up in the 1940s, Charles Blockson was once told by a white teacher that black people had made no contributions to history. Even as a fourth-grader, Blockson, who is black, knew better. So he began collecting proof. Today, the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University contains more than 30,000 historical items, some dating to the 16th century. It includes Paul Robeson's sheet music, African Bibles, rare letters and manuscripts, slave narratives, correspondence of Haitian revolutionaries and a first-edition book by W.E.B DuBois. "It's really invaluable," curator Diane Turner said. "The materials are just so wonderful and unique." The collection has grown so much since Temple acquired it 25 years ago that it moved into a larger space on campus this month. To read the entire profile please click HERE.
Article on Blockson Appears in San Francisco Chronicle
The San Fransisco Chronlcle recently carried an article by Associated Press Writer Kathy Matheson about Charles Blockson and the Charles Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University. You can see some photos of the collection and read the Chronicle's article HERE.
