Poquessing Trail of History programming recently continued with In the Light of Freedom: Lantern-Making Workshop and Historical Reenactment and Lantern Parade at Byberry Friends Meeting, 3001 Byberry Road.
The Poquessing Trail of History is an initiative of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Jack McCarthy is program director, while Aislinn Pentecost-Farren is project coordinator.
Lanterns were important for people escaping slavery. Walking artist Ken Johnston provided lantern-making instruction and told stories about Byberry anti-slavery leader Robert Purvis and the role of lanterns in the Underground Railroad.
Johnston led the parade around the Byberry Friends burial grounds in celebration of Byberry’s Underground Railroad history. The Oct. 18 parade marked the 175th anniversary of a meeting in Byberry Hall to protest the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act.
Purvis, a leader of the Underground Railroad in Byberry, and other community leaders gathered local citizens to adopt a strongly worded protest against the Fugitive Slave Act that was later published in the Pennsylvania Freeman newspaper.
Byberry Friends member Dave Nepley read the resolution, while each event participant said, “I (name of one of the historic signers) affirm this resolution.”
The crowd of about 50 walked to Byberry Hall, which has a state historical marker, then to the cemetery, visiting the graves of four signers of the resolution and two of Purvis’ sons. Baby’s breath and chrysanthemums were placed on the graves, and everyone sang This Little Light of Mine.
Afterward, participants enjoyed apples, doughnuts, cider and snacks.
Next up for the Poquessing Trail of History will be What was Purvis Reading? The Books of a Great Abolitionist on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. Purvis was a member of the Byberry Library Company, whose book collection is still preserved at Byberry Meeting and whose circulation records are at the Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore. Purvis checked out about 100 books in the 1850s and 1860s and the Poquessing Trail of History is building a program around this, including displaying the actual books that Purvis read.
For more information on upcoming events, contact Jack McCarthy at [email protected] or 610-639-2164 or visit poquessingtrailofhistory.org. ••
