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❦ Special projects & exhibits
Projects
WHAT WE ARE BUILDING WITH SCHOOLS, ARCHIVES AND THE COMMUNITY.
The
Underground
Literary Society
Underground
Literary Society
Opens January 2027 · with Harriett’s Bookshop
The Underground Literary Society
A monthly reading community meeting in The Underground at Harriett’s Bookshop — one book at a time, read over six weeks, discussed with its author.
2025 – 2026 · with the School District of Philadelphia & HSP
The ICY Graduation Project
A community celebration of democracy through the lens of the Institute for Colored Youth — ending in a re-creation of the 1860 graduation.
February – May 2025 · Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Free, As One
Black worldmaking in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society papers — an exhibit of manuscripts that show Black-led abolition.
Book club · Opens January 2027
The Underground Literary Society
A monthly reading community, meeting in The Underground at Harriett’s Bookshop. With Michiko Quinones (1838 Black Metropolis), Jeannine Cook (Harriett’s Bookshop) and Verna L. Hamilton.
The full launch overview — concept, cadence and the first year’s reading list.
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❦ Previous Projects
Open a project to read the full story, see the team and browse the gallery.
Project · 2025–2026
The ICY Graduation Project
Through the lens of the Institute for Colored Youth (ICY), this project turns history into a hands-on, community-driven critical reflection on democracy. It restores a pivotal chapter in Philadelphia’s past and makes learning engaging for students and families alike.
Culminating in a re-creation of the ICY graduation ceremony of 1860, the project invites the community to engage with democracy and celebrate the antebellum Black community of Philadelphia, who held it dear.
❦ Reenactors bring ICY to life
Spring 2026 · with Cheyney University students and historical reenactors
The plan, step by step
The team
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Funder
This project is made possible through a generous grant from the Philadelphia Funders in support of activities for the celebration of the nation’s 250th.
Partners
We are proud to partner with the School District of Philadelphia and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on this project.
Exhibit · February – May 2025
Free, As One
Black worldmaking in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society papers
Our Free, As One exhibit, on Black worldmaking in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society collection, was held from February to May 2025 in partnership with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. All manuscript images are courtesy of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
About the exhibit
Exhibit guide
Read the printed guide that accompanied the exhibit, case by case.
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Gallery
Photographs from the exhibit at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania · manuscripts courtesy PAS Papers, HSP
Cite this page
1838 Black Metropolis, Inc. (2026). Projects. https://www.1838blackmetropolis.com/projects
Last updated September 11, 2026 · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0