Search Results

Explore these short framing essays to discover the lives and legacies of free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War privateer, successful businesman, and stalwart abolitionist James Forten and his family.

Learn more about the rare surviving objects on loan from Forten family descendants that are on display in our special exhibition, Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia.

Dr. Janice L. Sumler-Edmond recounts the past 50 years of academic scholarship on James Forten and his descendants that helped lead to the Museum's Black Founders special exhibition.

Take a closer look at the Forten family artifacts that the Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center loaned to the Museum for our special exhibition, Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia.

Access modular activities and ready-made worksheets to help your students dig deeper into the lives and legacies of free Black Philadelphia, Revolutionary War privateer, and successfull businessman James Forten and his descendants.

Immerse yourself in 360-degree panoramic gallery images, high-resolution photos of the artifacts and documents, a guided audio tour, and music station to explore the story of free Black Philadelphian James Forten and his descendants.

In February 2021, Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum founders Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills joined the Museum for a virtual discussion about early Black voters in New Jersey, including Ephraim Hagerman and Thomas Blue, and their legacies today in Montgomery Township.

Nahja Chimenti and Sean Bunting of Force 10 Sailmaking and Rigging reflect on their work, compare their workshop to the recreated sail loft that was in our Black Founders exhibit, and look at how James Forten's Revolutionary-era sailmaking work is similar to their own.

Watch Dr. Julie Winch's April 2023 discussion on her book, A Gentleman of Color: The Life of James Forten, where she was joined by Forten descendant Atwood "Kip" Forten Jacobs.

Associate Curator Matthew Skic takes you through the stories of Revolutionary soldiers and officers such as Polish cavalryman Casimir Pulaski, Colonel Jonathan Pettibone, and Gershom Prince.