February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and recognizing their role in U.S. history. There are a number of ways to honor Black History Month in Bucks County and the nearby area, so we've put a list together of some of the highlights:

Visit an Exhibit

Building on the Dream: From Africa to Bucks County – now through April 7 at the Bucks County Visitor Center

The African American Museum of Bucks County is sponsoring an exhibit that pays tribute to the lives, culture, accomplishments and contributions of African Americans in Bucks County. The exhibit features a timeline of events in African American history in Pennsylvania, the history of the Underground Railroad in Bucks County, and the role of Bucks County AME churches in helping African Americans transition from slavery to freedom.

The exhibit also includes a speaker series. While the first in the series already occurred on February 2, you can still attend the final two. “Untold Stories of African American Civil War Soldiers buried at Slate Hill Cemetery” takes places on March 15. “Contributions of African Americans from Bucks County during the Civil War Era” is on April 5.

“Awakened in You: The Collection of Dr. Constance Clayton” – February 21 through July 12 at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

This new exhibit displays more than 75 works by African American artists from the collection of Dr. Constance E. Clayton, an educator and arts advocate. The collection features mostly paintings and works on paper, and also include sculptures by Richmond Barthé and Augusta Savage.

African American History Month at The National Constitution Center – February 2020

February 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which said the right to vote could not be denied based on race. The National Constitution Center will honor that milestone all month long with special educational programs and performances in conjunction with the new Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit, including “The Road to Freedom” show, the “Four Harriets” program, and theatrical performances of Frances E. W. Harper: The Great Problem to Be Solved and FOURTEEN. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of the museum’s The Story of We the People exhibit to discover key milestones in African American history, and then test their knowledge at the Center’s giant game board activity. Find out more and buy tickets here.

Ongoing Events at the African American Museum in Philadelphia

The African American Museum is a natural choice to visit during Black History Month. View the permanent display “Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876” or attend one of the special programs happening this month. Some of these include “Black Joy and Resistance,” “Meditations on Black Masculinity,” or “Political Life in the Wake of the Plantation.” Click here for the calendar of events.

See a Show

Quintessence Theatre Group’s “Rachel” – now through February 23 at The Sedgwick Theater

Angelina Weld Grimke's American classic depicts an African-American family at the turn of the 20th century striving to find life, liberty, and happiness in a Northern city. Haunted by her family's Southern past, Rachel, an ambitious high-school graduate, struggles to find a vocation, love and hope in the face of systemic racism, ultimately choosing to reject marriage and motherhood. Inspired by the writing of Chekhov, Grimke's Rachel opened in New York on April 25, 1917, and was the first play by an African-American author with an all-black cast to be performed before an integrated audience.

Get tickets here.

Arden Theatre Company’s “My General Tubman” – now through March 15

My General Tubman is a beautiful and exciting new play about the complex journey of Harriet Tubman and the impact she continues to have today. This is a world premiere by acclaimed Philadelphia author Lorene Cary.

Purchase tickets here.

“Underground Railroad & The Freedom Fighters” – February 13 at 12:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Bucks County Community College

This historical reenactment presentation features; Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, John Brown, Sojourner Truth, and William Still. Learn about America's abolitionists, Quakers, free African Americans, and escaped slaves…many who worked together for this fight for freedom regarding one of the most important milestones of America's history!

Get tickets at this link.

The Philly Pops “Aretha: Respect” – February 14 through February 16 at the Kimmel Center

The Philly POPS welcomes back conductor Byron Stripling as they pay R-E-S-P-E-C-T with the dynamic combination of Broadway Powerhouse Capathia Jenkins and Grammy-Nominated R&B Singer Ryan Shaw. It’s “Chain of Fools,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Amazing Grace,”  “Respect,” and more!

Get tickets here.

“Voices of Hope Black History Month Celebration” – February 20 at 6 p.m. at the Please Touch Museum

The free Voices of Hope Black History Month Celebration features performances by PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Heritage Chorale, Monique Brooks Roberts, Sister Cities Girlchoir and CAPA String Quartet. Registration is required for tickets to the event, which takes place at the Please Touch Museum. Register here.

“The Life and Times of Louis Armstrong” – February 22 at 1 p.m. at Levittown Library

Bob Stankard performs as the jazz great, sharing music and stories in a one hour performance.

Sweet Honey in the Rock – February 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Bucks County Community College

A powerful and unique concert entity that fuses the elastic 360 degree possibilities of the human voice with a theatrical flair that keeps avid audiences returning. Kinetic, cultured and connected, this internationally renowned Grammy Award® nominated female acappella vocal quartet has a history of over four decades of distinguished service. They have created positive, loving, and socially conscious message music that matters as it pertains to spiritual fortification, and consistently taken an activist stance toward making this planet a better place for all in which to live.

Get tickets here.

Sweet Honey in the Rock (Photo from the Bucks County Community College website)

Read a Book

Bucks County Free Library has put together several lists of suggested reading during Black History Month. These lists are divided by category and age group, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.

Black History Month Read for Younger Readers from Infants through Teens

Black History Month: Biography Reads for Kids

Eight Great Reads for Black History Month

And if you’d rather watch a movie, we recommend “The North Star,” which was filmed in Bucks.  It tells the story of Benjamin “Big Ben” Jones and Moses Hopkins. The two slaves escaped from a Virginia plantation and made their way to freedom in Buckingham, PA. This movie is available on DVD through the Bucks County Free Library.

For a guided story/activity with children, attend these events:

Black History Month Storytime at Quakertown Library on Friday, February 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon

Reading to End Racism at Neshaminy Mall Barnes & Noble on Saturday, February 22 from noon to 3 p.m.

YWCA Bucks County is hosting its annual Reading to End Racism event to promote diversity and inclusion. There will be a visit and read-along of “I am Mixed” by children’s book author Maggy Williams. In addition, there will be arts & crafts, kids activities and a guest appearance by Princess Elena from the Sing Along Princesses.

Black History Month Storytime at Langhorne Library on Monday, February 24 from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

 

 

We Are Supported By:

BishopEstatesAPBasic FamilyServiceBucksAP22 GalleryPiquelAP24 SalomonAP23 DynamixGymnasticsAP21

Join Our Community. Click here to learn more