52 Weeks of Firsts

Hosted by the Philadelphia Historic District, 52 Weeks of Firsts honors 250 years of Philly pioneering by celebrating the city’s many historic achievements all year long. Featured Philadelphia “firsts” include inventions like bifocals; cultural milestones such as Mother’s Day; and significant locations like Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the home of the AME faith and the oldest piece of land owned continuously owned by African Americans. Celebration events take place at the original location of each first and include speakers, a sculpture and a historic deep dive by Once Upon a Nation.

Where: Various locations including Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 419 S. 6th Street