PHILADELPHIA – The Independence Seaport Museum (ISM) in Philadelphia, PA is launching a new project called “Breaking Uncommon Ground on the Delaware River.” This multi-year initiative aims to collect oral histories from African-American residents who lived and worked along the Delaware River in the 20th and 21st centuries. These stories will contribute to the expansion of ISM’s flagship exhibition, Tides of Freedom: The African Presence on the Delaware River. The project will include an audio/visual component, an online presence through ISM’s YouTube channel, and an online archive in the J. Welles Henderson Research Center.
Tides of Freedom, which opened in 2013, explores the concept of freedom from the perspective of African Americans along the Delaware River. The new project will extend the exhibition’s narrative to the present day by incorporating stories shared by community elders, creating an intergenerational experience for visitors.
The oral history project is motivated by the desire to preserve the stories of the African-American community before they are lost. It also aims to highlight the community’s complex relationship with the Delaware River, which includes displacement due to factors such as the Pennsylvania slave trade and the construction of Interstate 95.
Leading the initiative is Paul D. Best, who has a background in storytelling and history. Best plans to locate interview subjects through community outreach, social media, and word of mouth. He will also involve local high school students in conducting interviews with elders, creating a bridge between generations.
“Breaking Uncommon Ground on the Delaware River” will facilitate a reimagining of the Tides of Freedom exhibition, providing a more engaging and meaningful experience for visitors through the combination of oral histories, museum artifacts, and educational programming.
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