To commemorate February in meaningful ways, here are some options to celebrate Black History Month in Philadelphia.
Black History on South Street: A Self-Guided Tour
This month, Philadelphians can head to the South Street Headhouse District on a self-guided tour to see different landmarks, sites, and the cultural input and impact of Black community members, neighbors, and business owners in the area. From the all-Black Engine #11 fire station, to the Seventh Ward and sociological studies of W.E.B. DuBois, to the origin stories for performers like Boyz II Men and The Roots. The full list of stops can be found online.
Betsy Ross House
The Betsy Ross House will be commemorating Black History Month in Philadelphia with their Meet the History Makers event on Saturday, Feb. 18 and 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Makers involved in the series include a Black abolitionist and wealthy businessman named James Forten; minister, educator, writer and one of America’s most active and influential Black leaders, Bishop Richard Allen; and also Margaret Woodby, a free, Black woman recorded in the Philadelphia Directory as a “cake baker” who spent time as a member of colonial Philadelphia’s thriving free Black community.
Also, on Sunday, Feb. 19 and 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Once Upon A Nation Storytellers will be sharing short, interactive and little-known tales about Black Americans through history for free.
239 Arch Street, historicphiladelphia.org
Mom Mom’s Soul Food Pop-Up
Chef Kevin Watters is bringing back his popular and annual Soul Food Pop-Up as a sit-down dinner on Monday, Feb. 27. As a release states, the event comes as a celebration of both Black History Month and a tribute to his late grandmother Lillian Lewis, who was known in her community as “everybody’s Mom Mom.” The multicourse meal will be $65 per person and can be reserved by emailing lee@thedutchphilly.com or via Tock.
Dishes include baked mac and cheese cornbread topped with short rib and creamy cheese sauce, buttermilk fried chicken with slow-cooked collard greens, smoked turkey, and oven-roasted candied yams, and apple bread pudding for dessert served warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. The release also states that a portion of proceeds from Mom Mom’s Sit Down Dinner will benefit Everybody Eats, the West Philadelphia-based, BIPOC-owned and chef-led charity dedicated to increasing food security and building the community.
1537 S. 11th Street, thedutchphilly.com
African American Museum in Philadelphia
There are a few events being held throughout the month of February at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. First up, on Thursday, Feb. 16, the museum will host its monthly Art Break, with the theme “Reclaiming the Vision.” Then this Saturday, Feb. 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the AAMP will host The Color of Money, a Fireside Chat with Rhonda Bettis.
Other Black History Month events include a screening of the film “Autumn Beat,” and a Q&A with the director, Antonio Dikele Distefano; An Evening Conversation with Dr. Bernice A King at the Mother Bethel AME Church; and an NAACP Image Award Watch Party and Sneaker Ball at AAMP. Throughout February, Philadelphians can also visit the museum’s latest photography exhibit, “Beloved – Habibi.” A full schedule of events can be found online.
701 Arch Street, aampmuseum.org
Red Owl Tavern
This Old City hotspot is commemorating Black History Month in Philadelphia by putting the spotlight on Uncle Nearest, the first African American master distiller who is said to have perfected the whiskey distilling processes. Visitors who head to ROT can sip on Old Fashioneds for $15, made with the 1884 small batch edition. $1 from every cocktail sold will go to Philadelphia Academies, and Uncle Nearest will be donating $1 to HBCUs, historically black-owned colleges, and universities with every drink sold.
433 Chestnut Street, redowltavern.com
Black History Month Civic Heroes Trolley Tour
In the month of February, Mural Arts is hosting a special trolley tour for Black History Month in Philadelphia. A professional guide will take visitors through a route that showcases murals that represent iconic Black figures, civic heroes, and insightful social justice issues and the experience will cover information about the artists, as well as stories behind each work of art.
The tour departs from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), at the Lenfest Plaza Paint Torch Sculpture, and the event will take place on Saturday. Feb. 25, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $38 per person for adults, and $28 per person for anyone 12 and under. Advanced reservation is required.
28 N. Broad Street, muralarts.org
Cray Taste Old City
Cray is offering a special Black Legends menu throughout Black History Month in Philadelphia, with dishes including the Meek Mill (aka a chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and collard greens for $16.99,) the Bob Marley (aka an oxtail with rice, peas, and steamed cabbage for $27.99,) the Hemings Freedom (fried chicken with mac and cheese and candied yams for $16.99,) the Uzi (an herb-crusted salmon with rice and asparagus for $27.99,) and the George Crum (a honey-glazed meatloaf with mash and chips for $22.99).
3865 N. 7th Street, craytaste.com
