Reflecting Revenants
Recalling Black Life in the 7th Ward
Selected pieces of the exhibition will remain up for public viewing until July 31st, 2024. The extended gallery is still on display at Rex at The Royal in their Mezzanine.
(*) Artwork no longer installed.
This pop-up gallery is an extension of the outdoor exhibition. Its intention is to aid the audience in getting a closer look at the images highlighted in the public installation and dive deeper into the archives with the artists.
Archival material for this project was supplied by the Philadelphia City Archives, Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection and Special Collections Research Center at Temple University Libraries, Cheyney University and the Philadelphia Library Company. We would like to send a special thank you to the archivists, community members and hosts who helped us make this project, including but not limited to:
Mother Jessie Alejandro, Eugene Desyatnik, Christopher Ash, Kurt Runco, Hakim Hopkins, Maria Meezack, Lynne Mastrilli, Rachel Rudy, Andrew Khouri, Adam Ziegfeld, Jessie and Mike Burns, Kasia Stein, Nora Taplin-Kaguru, Andrew Khouri, Fr. Joseph Wallace-Williams, Leslie Willis-Lowry, Josue L Hurtado, John R. Pettit, Aslaku Berhanu, Janet Evans, Penny Baker, Joshua Blay, David Baugh, Francis W. Hoeber, Jon Kohl, Brett Roe and the Roe Fabricators team, Laura Stroffolino, Karen Kirsheman, Alina Josan, South Street Headhouse District and Chingi Zdyrko and the entire Rex at the Royal Team.
Reflecting Revenants: Recalling Black Life in the 7th Ward is an outdoor installation that pays homage to the vibrant history of Philadelphia's former 7th Ward as a center of African American culture and community. Using decals and banners artists Amelia Carter and Beth Naomi Lewis skillfully merge candid archival photographs of Black residents between early to mid 20th century with the present-day landscape of the Ward, conjuring an ethereal "energetic imprint" that transcends time. This immersive experience unveils these images organically, adorning surfaces of buildings across the Ward, evoking a spectral presence. "Reflecting Revenants" offers a unique and introspective journey into the historical heartbeat of the 7th Ward, reviving its memory for the next generation.
“Mother Bethel African American Methodist Episcopal Church” *
1973
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: 538 Lombard Street
Ms. Doris Way, of Society Hill, passes Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church at 6th and Lombard Street, the oldest parcel of land owned continuously by African Americans in the U.S.
"For Rent" *
1926-1929
Photo Illustrator's Firm, Albert M. Greenfield & Co., The Library Company of Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: 506 Delancey Street
Real estate photograph of 1433-1435 South Street commissioned by Albert M. Greenfield & Co. probably for publication in the firm's monthly Real Estate Bulletin depicting a three-story commercial building containing empty storefronts. Building contains signage for Greenfield & Co. offering the building for sale or rent. On the left, a woman bundled against the cold sits on the front stoop. In the center, an African American man, attired in a cap, a white collared shirt, a tie, a waistcoat with a pocket watch chain, an overcoat, and pants, stands on the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets and looks left. There is a partial view of an adjoining shoe store and two automobiles.
"At Home"
1918
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Octavia Hill Association
Installation Site: 513 Delancey Street
A woman stands at the doorway while her children peer through the window of their residence at 1738 Naudain Street.
“Living Quarters” *
1900
Courtesy of: Special Collections Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Octavia Hill Association
Installation Site: 518 Delancey Street
In this vicinity, the living spaces designated for African Americans comprised nine houses, each containing three rooms for individual families. A shared yard and a flat above facilitated the drying of clothes. Rent ranged from $1.80 to $2.00 per week. Children can be seen sitting on the wooden steps. The location is estimated to be south of Lombard Street and east of Broad in the 7th Ward.
“Woman with Newspaper on Stoop”
1958
City Archives, Department of Records, Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: Black and Nobel, 422 South Street,
Folder Pine Street: 1100-1200 1219
A woman sits on her apartment stoop reading the newspaper. Today the antique shop at the ground level of this building is a barbershop called Barbers and Gents.
"Cliff’s: The Poor Man’s Friend"
1958
City Archives, Department of Records, Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: Greene Street Consignment, 700 South Street
Folder# 10th Street South, 400 Pine Street 19147
The proprietor of Cliff's barbershop occupies the window seat of his establishment located at 414 South 10th Street. The storefront proudly displays Cliff's slogan, "Poor man's friend," as evident from the prominent sign.
"Street Scenes #1"
1940-1950
William Rapp Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia, PA by William Rapp
Donated by Frank and Ditta Hoeber to the Free Library of Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: Church of The Crucifixion, 807 Bainbridge Street
Taken on the outskirts of the 7th Ward. Exact location unknown. Presumed location estimated by historian and William Wrapp photo collector Francis W. Hoeber.
“Institute for Colored Youth Baseball Team”
Earlier than 1924
Cheyney University
Installation Site: Randall School Condominiums, 915 Bainbridge Street
The Philadelphia Pythians, established in 1865, stand as pioneers among the earliest Negro League baseball clubs. Originally named the Independent Ball Club, this team was co-founded by Octavius V. Catto and Jacob C. White, both graduates of the Institute for Colored Youth, along with William Still. Led by Catto, the team embarked on its inaugural full season in 1867.
“The Movers” *
1933
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: 1132 Lombard Street
Movers carry pictures from 510 S. Broad Street (near Broad and Lombard), the home of the late John G. Johnson, famous lawyer and leader of the Philadelphia bar, who died in 1917. Under his will the artworks became the property of the city under condition that they be exhibited in the Broad Street house. This image was published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
“Stoop Sitting” *
1914
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: 340 S. 12th Street
Image shows an African American man and woman sitting on the stairs of 1235 Bainbridge Street in Philadelphia as their laundry dries in the distance.
“Standard Theater”
City Archives, Department of Records, Philadelphia, PA
South St Looking East from 12th St.
Installation Site: 330 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Folder# South St: 1200 Broad St 1476
A man walks across trolley tracks near 12th and South Street, passing by the historic Standard Theater. The Standard Theater, a famous Black venue, was active from 1915 to 1930.
"Dra Mu Opera Company Audience at The Academy of Music"
1947
Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection, By John Mosely.
Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: Rex at The Royal, 1524 South Street
The audience awaits entry in the Academy of Music lobby for a performance by Dra Mu, the pioneering Black opera company founded in 1945 by Raymond Lowden Smith.
"A Night at the Theater"
1949
Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection, By John Mosely
Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: Rex at The Royal, 1524 South Street
Photographer John W. Mosley captures a snapshot of the opera audience standing on the theater steps during intermission at a performance of "Bigoletto" by the La Scala Opera Company. The Philadelphia La Scala Opera Company held regular performances at the Academy of Music from 1925 to 1954. Following its merger with the Philadelphia Civic Grand Opera Company in 1955, the unified entity became the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company.
Rex at The Royal, 1524 South Street
“Nat King Cole”
1944
Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection, By John Mosely
Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, PA
Installation Site: Rex at The Royal, 1524 South Street
Nat "King" Cole performs at the South Broad Street USO at 510 South Broad Street in 1944. Although the USO's founding policies forbade racial discrimination, Black military members fighting in World War II often went to separate USO centers such as the South Broad Street USO.
About Legacy Reclaimed: A 7th Ward Tribute
The Philadelphia City Archives, Little Giant Creative, and Mural Arts Philadelphia have received funding by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage to pay homage to the profound Black history of the 7th Ward. Hearkening back to its progressive beginnings, contemporary thinkers and creatives will lead the collective concepting and design of an outdoor, place-based, experiential art installation exhibit. The Tribute will be open to the public, and will be long term or permanent where possible. A youth curriculum and self-guided walking tour informed by the research of the 7th Ward’s vibrant history will be developed to capture an accurate account of an important chapter in Philadelphia’s Black history. Curated events hosted for the general public centered around people, places and events that took place in the 7th Ward will help garner interest in the art installations and walking tour. Find out more about this project at www.7thwardtribute.com.