Associate Curator Matthew Skic discussed their current exhibition, ‘Black Founders: The Forten Family at The Museum of the American Revolution.’ Running through November of 2023, it presents a collection of over 100 objects passed down through the family of James Forten (1766-1842) who was born free in Philadelphia and who heard the words of the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the first time on July 8, 1776. Joining a privateer ship at the age of 14 to fight for American independence he was captured and held captive on a prison ship for seven months before being freed during a prisoner exchange. He later became a successful business owner, philanthropist, and abolitionist. We discussed the influence of Forten and his friendship with some of the greatest names in the movement and his unique position as a Black businessmen man in Philadelphia. Mathew also spoke of the school programs, lectures and panels that will be offered during the exhibit. For more information go to AmRevMuseum.org
The Forten Family at The Museum of the American Revolution