We are eager to see researchers of all ages use the primary source records of Philadelphia’s early congregations as they seek to understand the social history of the City and our Nation. With the help of volunteers, we hope to present a series of topical lesson plans that provide thematic introductions to our records and how they illuminate the early years of Philadelphia.
The Free Lives of Black Philadelphians
Subjects/Courses: Social Studies, US History
Grade Level: 9th grade (may also be suitable for 8th-12th grade)
Duration: 45 min x 5 days
From its earliest years, Philadelphia was home to a substantial free African American population, but also home to a number of enslaved African Americans. The abolitionist views of the Quakers who governed Pennsylvania provided some protection, but Blacks faced discrimination and oppression throughout the larger society. This led to early protests for civil rights, the formation of mutual aid societies, and the creation of new religious communities by and for African Americans. This history is documented — with conflicting accounts — in the early church records in Philadelphia. These lesson plans help students to understand the context, struggles, and successes of the free and enslaved Black populations in early Philadelphia. Students will also wrestle with how perspective and bias can infect primary sources, and how historians must interpret the available data to understand what really happened.
- The Free Lives of Black Philadelphia Lesson Plans (Word)
- Day 1: Quakers and Free Blacks (PowerPoint)
- Day 2: The Free Black Population (PowerPoint)
- Day 2: Black Population Chart (Word)
- Day 3: The Free African Society (PowerPoint)
- Day 4: The Great Walkout (PowerPoint)
- Day 5: Black Churches (PowerPoint)
- Day 5: Primary Sources Worksheet (Word)
The Free Lives of Black Philadelphians lesson plans were created for the Philadelphia Congregations Early Records project by Chen Chang as part of a capstone project for the Drexel MLIS program.
Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
Subjects/Courses: Social Studies, US History
Grade Level: 9th grade (may also be suitable for 8th-12th grade)
Duration: 45 min x 7 days
The Yellow Fever epidemic that occurred in Philadelphia in the summer of 1793 is one of the most severe epidemics the country has ever experienced. About 10% of the city of Philadelphia’s residents died of Yellow Fever. The epidemic also provides an illuminating examination of race relations in the early United States, as African Americans were conscripted to serve as nurses and to collect bodies, under the (incorrect) assumption that they were immune to the disease. Poverty and suffering were widespread. The early church records provide amazing insight into this very challenging period in Philadelphia’s history, and provide parallels to our recent experiences with the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Lesson Plans document provides detailed plans for each day. PowerPoint files are provided for each day’s teaching information. Worksheets to be distributed to students are provided for Day 1 and Day 6.
- Yellow Fever Lesson Plans (Word)
- Day 1: Primary Sources (PowerPoint)
- Day 1: Primary Sources Worksheet (Word)
- Day 2: Yellow Fever and Burial Stats (PowerPoint)
- Day 3: Yellow Fever and COVID-19 (PowerPoint)
- Day 4: Yellow Fever and African Americans, part 1 (PowerPoint)
- Day 5: Yellow Fever and African Americans, part 2 (PowerPoint)
- Day 6: Yellow Fever and Leadership (PowerPoint)
- Day 6: Bingo Worksheet (Word)
- Day 7: Compare and Contrast Essay (PowerPoint)
The Yellow Fever lesson plans were created for the Philadelphia Congregations Early Records project by Chen Chang as part of a capstone project for the Drexel MLIS program.