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Actor Nathan Alford-Tate depicts a sailor in a blue coat holding a sailmaking fid in our Meet James Forten first-person theatrical performance.

Join us online to experience the Museum's newest first-person theatrical performance, "Meet James Forten," exploring Forten’s life as a free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War privateer, and stalwart abolitionist. Following the live virtual performance beginning at 6:30 p.m., join actor Nathan Alford-Tate and Michael Idriss, the Museum’s African American Interpretive Fellow, for a talkback discussion about how and why this new theatrical piece was created and why Forten’s story continues to resonate with audiences today. Kalela Williams, founder of Black History Maven and a member of the Museum’s Diversify Living History Advisory Committee, will moderate this discussion.

The Museum’s Senior Manager of Gallery Interpretation Dr. Tyler Putman will provide opening remarks about "Brave Men as Ever Fought," a new painting by nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani that shows a significant moment in Forten’s life. The painting, which is featured in the special exhibition Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War, on view now, was commissioned with funding from the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail of the National Park Service.

About Kalela Williams

Kalela Williams Headshot

Kalela Williams has worked in public programming and education for more than a decade, in her current role as the first Director of Writing with Philadelphia-based youth organization Mighty Writers and in previous roles with the Free Library of Philadelphia and James Madison University's Furious Flower Poetry Center. As a member of the Museum’s Diversify Living History Advisory Committee, she has also interpreted for the Meet the Revolution series at the Museum of the American Revolution. She is the founder of Black History Maven, a gathering community that honors all diverse pasts, affirms Black identity and pride, and engages communities in literary, artistic, and cultural conversations. 

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Katelyn Appiah-Kubi portrays Elizabeth Freeman wearing a blue dress with white apron and hat.
 

Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month and explore the stories of unsung Revolutionaries with the Museum this February.
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A Museum staff member views a painting in the Liberty exhibit
 

Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War

October 16, 2021 - September 5, 2022
Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War immersed visitors in the dramatic and research-based works of nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani to bring the compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events of the American Revolution to life.
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Read the Revolution Speaker Series with Kari Winter and Rhonda Brace
Feb 17
 

Read the Revolution Speaker Series with Kari Winter featuring Rhonda Brace

February 17, 2022 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Historian Dr. Kari J. Winter will discuss the rare and powerful memoir of Jeffrey Brace, an enslaved man who won his freedom through service during the Revolutionary War, before being joined by Brace descendent and family historian, Rhonda Brace.
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