History in the Making: A Special Podcast Takeover by the African American Museum in Philadelphia

In this engaging episode of the "Start Here America Did" podcast, Morgan Lloyd, the dedicated Programming Coordinator for the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) and a fervent advocate for African American history, steps up as host to honor the legacy of the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Born from the initiatives of the Bicentennial, AAMP has carved its path as the first museum specifically established by a major city to celebrate, explore, and showcase the African American legacy. Morgan walks us through AAMP's groundbreaking journey, its esteemed Smithsonian affiliation, and its crucial role in chronicling African American heritage.

Venturing further, Morgan discusses Philadelphia's African American community's history, spotlighting influential personalities, pioneering exhibitions like the "Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America," and the museum's impactful educational initiatives. The "Rising Sun" exhibition, a collaboration with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and 1838 Black Metropolis, poses the compelling question: "Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy?"

Then Morgan dives deeper into 1838 Black Metropolis, an award-winning initiative she co-founded, which uses the 1838 Census as a foundation to map and narrate the lives of nearly 20,000 Black Philadelphians during the antebellum period. This project not only fills a gap in our understanding of Black history before the Civil War but also reclaims and redefines this critical chapter of Philadelphia's history through visuals and immersive walking tours.

This special podcast episode is a celebration of the African American Museum in Philadelphia's 50-year legacy of excellence, its influential exhibitions, and educational organizations like 1838 Black Metropolis that enrich our understanding of American history and culture. Join Morgan Lloyd for an insightful journey into the stories and achievements that have shaped AAMP's distinguished history and continue to inspire future generations.