Tides of Freedom: African Presence on the Delaware River

Join the Independence Seaport Museum for the Opening Celebration of the Tides of Freedom exhibit the first exhibition in their River of Freedom series. Curated by PBS's Tukufu Zuberi of History Detectives the show explores the concept of freedom through the lens of the African experience along the Delaware.

Tides of Freedom covers 300 years of African-American history along the Delaware River, and encourages visitors to examine the concept of freedom by looking at four watershed moments in Philadelphia’s history: the Middle Passage and enslavement, emancipation, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights era.

The interactive exhibit will feature recently uncovered artifacts from the Museum's collection, gripping first-person accounts and interactive elements, providing visitors with opportunities for discovery and communication. Tukufu Zuberi the curator will introduce each major section, touching on important themes and crucial artifacts to provide visitors with a dramatic and engaging overview

The Opening Celebration will commences with a blessing of the river ceremony at 10 a.m. on the Museum’s dock, followed by six hours of family-friendly activities, music, and crafts celebrating African and African-American culture.