#OnThisDay in 1787, the Free African Society, which was co-founded by Richard Allen in Philadelphia, began to organize. The organization was created to provide a range of services to city’s free African American population. Its creation eventually led to the establishment of some of the first independent Black churches in the United States.

Albert Newsam, Revd. Richard Allen (Phialdelphia: P.S. Duval, ca. 1850). Lithograph.

Image depicts a half-length portrait of abolitionist and first African American bishop, Richard Allen. The work was probably drawn on stone by deaf and mute Philadelphia lithographer Albert Newsam. 

We’re dreaming of warmer weather on this #MorrisMonday! 

Marriott Canby Morris, Bathing group on beach. Anne & Mary Emlen, Father & self, 1885. Glass negative. 

Image depicts Anne Emlen, Mary Emlen, Marriott Canby Morris and his father Elliston P. Morris sitting on the beach at Sea Girt in bathing attire. The women wear scarves on their heads.

Hopefully you aren’t feeling as sluggish as this tortoise being driven by a cherub after the long weekend! 

Compliments of R.C. Geddes, rubber goods, 316 Market St. & 716 Chestnut St., Philadelphia (Philadelphia, [ca. 1885]). Chromolithograph. 

Image depicts a cherub riding on the back of a tortoise with a whip in mid-air on a flower-lined path.   

Today we honor the life and legacy of trailblazing Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. 

Honoring Martin Luther King ([United States], 1979). Collotype envelope. 

Image depicts a 1st day of issue commemorative envelope featuring a portrait of Martin Luther King.

Does this half dragon/half bird chasing an insect qualify for #Feathursday? 

We’re honestly not sure anymore. 

Anyway, Happy Appreciate a Dragon Day!

Image: Painter, Read & Eldredge, Fashionable Clothing, Franklin Hall, 321 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. [Philadelphia, ca. 1880]. Chromolithograph; 6.5 x 10 cm.

Is it Friday yet? 

Conway, gent’s furnisher ([Philadelphia]: [ca. 1880]). Chromolithograph. 

Image depicts  a man wearing a conductor’s cap asleep on a train with his mouth open and his head in his left hand. A suitcase with the name of the business superimposed onto the side sits on the floor next to him.   

It may be #MorrisMonday, but who says we can’t still celebrate #SelfieSunday? 

Marriott Canby Morris, Picture of myself standing in porch, 1885. Glass negative. 

Image depicts Marriott Canby Morris wearing breaches and a hat with a round brim. He stands with one hand at his hip in the corner of the porch at the Morris family home Avocado.

Now that it’s the first full week of the New Year, it’s time to get started on those resolutions! 

Edward Williams Clay, Roper’s Gymnasium. 274 Market Street, Philadelphia (Philadelphia: From Childs & Inman’s Press,  [ca. 1831]). Lithograph. 

Image depicts an advertisement showing the interior of the well-attended gymnasium, operated by James Roper on the 800 block of Market Street, in which several men exercise in front of a crowd of spectators. Roper established the gymnasium circa 1831 which relocated to the 800 block of Walnut Street circa 1833.     

It’s time to start getting back into the swing of things! 

Marriott Canby Morris, Laying out W.N.L West’s house, Pocono Lake, PA, 1909. Film negative. 

Image depicts three men and a woman stringing rope between stakes in a field at Pocono Lake. Thick underbrush grows in the field and trees border the clearing. 

The Pocono Lake Preserve was pioneered by a group of Quakers, including Isaac Sharpless, who camped in the area in 1904. In 1908, this group bought the property from the Pocono Mountain Ice Company and designed it as a basic, rustic campground.       

Well there’s one way to cure holiday stress! 

[Carter Medicine Co. trade cards] ([New York]: [ca. 1885]). Lithograph.

Image depicts a large frog towering over a small, frightened child and a little girl pointing and instructing her ailing grandfather to take Carter’s back ache plasters.