Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: A Review
- Valerie Harris
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
I've had Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy
by
former public school teacher
Amy Jane Cohen on my desk for a while now. As a cultural historian and Philadelphia native I highly recommend it.
Philadelphia has been called the City of Murals—we have some beautiful ones—and all of them tell a story, with many being about the contributions and sacrifices made by African Americans over the course of our 300 years in the area. The book also points out the numerous blue-and-yellow historical markers outside the residences that our historic heroes and heroines once called home, and references the many plaques, street names, and names of public buildings that serve as "monuments" to the African American presence in Philadelphia.
Divided into three parts, the book covers the 17th and 18th centuries; the 19th century; and the 20th century—from colonial days to the Black Power Movement of the 60s and 70s. Cohen serves us plenty of photographs, as well as maps of four different areas of the city on which the locations of named sites, historic houses, murals, and historical markers are highlighted, providing a useful guide for anyone interested in touring Black Philadelphia's heritage sites.
Lastly, the book includes "To Do" lists at the end of each chapter. These lists guide readers to additional resources for further exploration, making the book an excellent tool for teachers and curious readers alike.
Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape excels in connecting local history to the broader national narrative on race, emphasizing how Black Philadelphians have shaped the city and how our stories are preserved in its monuments and markers. Anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Philadelphia’s heritage, the enduring legacy of its Black community, as well as a novel way of teaching history to a new generation will want to add this unique resource to their collection.
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