Seeing Slavery in Pennsylvania: A Semiquincentennial Perspective

ABSTRACT The subject of slavery in Pennsylvania, long ignored in historical study, has gained currency in recent years among academic and public historians, historic site and museum managers, and students and teachers in K–12 through college, and it has led to introspection by all manner of institutions about the need to investigate their historical connections to slavery and their obligations to address that history. The study of slavery in Pennsylvania has benefited from discoveries and rereadings of archival and archaeological sources and appreciation of Black perspectives and voices in relating that history. Many people will encounter that history during and because of the Semiquincentennial, with much attention focused on Philadelphia, because of the ubiquity of historical markers, public art, museum and historic site exhibits and programming, and archaeological projects presenting aspects of slavery from Pennsylvania’s past. Such encounters will challenge efforts by some people to suppress, even deny, such history and give a resonance and relevance to the Semiquincentennial beyond the mere celebration of independence.