PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Wednesday marked the start of Black History Month and the American Museum of the Revolution is marking the occasion with the opening of a special exhibit.
The exhibit, Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia, shows how the family of Philadelphia abolitionist and wealthy businessman James Forten, helped black people in the city and country from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. They were crucial in making sure black men were given the right to fight for their country.
Dr. Nathan O. Thomas is a Tuskegee Airmen who served in World War II. He was one of a few airmen at an early showing of the exhibit, in honor of the Forten family. He says it’s phenomenal to learn about what they had to go through.
“We didn’t know anything about these people but they did a great job,” he said. “They paved a way through all their hardships.”
Museum spokespersons say the exhibit features more than 100 historical artifacts, works of art, and documents from 38 different lenders, including both institutions and private collectors, as well as the Museum’s collection. Rare historic Forten family artifacts will also be on display for the first time.
Thomas says he learned about those hardships through the exhibit. Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro toured the exhibit with Thomas. He says it's important to tell these stories through people's lives.
“I think people can grasp that better, they can understand it better, they can see maybe themselves in a family like the Forten family," he said.
The exhibition on the Forten family opens to the public February 11th.