WELCOME
The 8th national Slave Dwelling Project Conference will take place October 3-5 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in collaboration with University of Pennsylvania’s McNeil Center for Early American Studies. This year’s theme,The Illusion of Freedom: Slavery in the Northern States seeks to explore American chattel slavery that was present in northern states prior to, and after the American Revolutionary War in the 1780s. While gradual emancipation began after the Revolution, the complicity of northern states allowed the institution of enslavement to persist nationally. Current American ideology purports the North’s role in the American Revolution, the Underground Railroad, and the Civil War as asylum for the enslaved–nothing could be further from the truth. Less is known about northern participation in chattel slavery that existed in the United States and the legacy of chattel slavery that continues to disenfranchise the African American population and contribute to systemic racism. The 8th conference of the Slave Dwelling Project, the first in a northern state, will examine those roles as the nation prepares for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026.
Banner Image: Interpretation of “Scenes in cotton field – Blacks picking; White men watching; large factory in background” with a 1777 Philadelphia map all courtesy of LOC.gov.
CONFERENCE DETAILS
The 8th SDP Conference will feature an engaging keynote address by Michael Harriot, hosted by the McNeil Center at the University of Pennsylvania. A columnist at theGrio and a staff writer on The Amber Ruffin Show and author of Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed Story of America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, NBC, BET, and on his mother’s refrigerator. He is a frequent political commentator on MSNBC and CNN and earned the National Association of Black Journalists Award for digital commentary as well as TV news writing. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in more than 40 informative and enlightening sessions by many notable scholars and historians in historic Philadelphia, PA with many off-site experiences as well.
We are excited to announce this year’s conference will take place October 3–5, 2024 at both the Museum of the American Revolution and the Philadelphia Marriott Old City. *THE 8th SLAVE DWELLING PROJECT CONFERENCE HAS SOLD OUT**
VENUES
THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration.
PHILADELPHIA MARRIOTT OLD CITY Revel in the History of Old City Philadelphia
Embark on a historic adventure from Philadelphia Marriott Old City, located in the heart of the historic district. Our downtown Philadelphia hotel seamlessly blends spacious well-appointed guest rooms, superb dining and exemplary meeting spaces with our time-honored “spirit to serve®.” The hotel is steps from some of the country’s most iconic destinations including the Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center and Betsy Ross House all within walking distance. A special rate and block of rooms has been set aside for the conference and can be reserved by clicking below or this link. This block of rooms will expire on September 1. *Please note if you wish to check in sooner than Thursday, October 3, you may have to call the hotel directly at 215.238.6000 to reserve your room.
EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES
BLACK PHILADELPHIA WALKING TOUR $25 pp Friday, October 4 at 2 pm
Learn about the history of Black Philadelphia while soaking in the fullest array of our nation’s most important and historical monuments and sights. With a focus on the city’s early history, Black Philadelphia Walking Tour will bring to light every detail of Philly’s Black past. Hear about Black Americans’ role in the history of the nation’s foundation. Tour includes the following on-site location visits: Independence Hall, The President’s House, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, First U.S. Supreme Court Building, American Philosophical Society Museum, Independence Square, Washington Square, Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, the former location the Philadelphia Prison Site & the oldest continuous piece of land owned by people of African descent. This is an add on in your registration options below and will take place on Friday, October 4 at 2 pm.
CLIVEDEN, Friday, October 4 at 7 pm
Join Joseph McGill for an exclusive campfire conversation and overnight at historic Cliveden. Cliveden also known as the Chew House, is a historic site owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, located in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia. Built as a country house for attorney Benjamin Chew, Cliveden was completed in 1767 and was home to seven generations of the Chew family. Cliveden has long been famous as the site of the American Revolutionary War’s Battle of Germantown in 1777 as well as for its Georgian architecture. New research is unearthing a more complicated history at Cliveden, which involves layers of significance, including the lives of those who were enslaved and in service to the Chew family. That information broadens the meaning of Cliveden as a preserved historic place, exploring themes and stories of American identity and freedom. Traces of the history of the Cliveden property and its occupants can be found throughout the 5-acre woody landscape. There is an opportunity to participate in an overnight, but not required. Limited to 35 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants must provide their own transportation, come having already eaten, and prepared for the evening. Snacks are permitted outside of the home, water is allowed in the home. Please be advised of the rustic nature of this experience. Half of the proceeds to benefit Cliveden. $10 per person.
REGISTRATION
**THE 8th SLAVE DWELLING PROJECT CONFERENCE IS SOLD OUT!** Below is the pricing for the 8th annual conference, complete with many diverse sessions, tours, keynote speaker, lunch, and a sleepover at a National Trust for Historic Preservation site. Registration opens May 28, 2024 at 8:00 pm. General registration is set at $300.00. We encourage this year’s presenters to register for the conference at their special early bird rate of $175.00 and after June 15th, our presenter rate will be $200.00.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Slave Dwelling Project offers a variety of sponsorship levels to suit every budget, each providing unique benefits and exposure opportunities. The SDP has an extensive reach including 3500+ mailing list, 25,000+ Facebook Followers, 24,800+ Instagram Followers. The SDP Conference expects 150 attendees from various parts of the USA. Click here to learn more about the many ways to support the 8th Slave Dwelling Project Conference.
THINGS TO DO IN PHILADELPHIA
There is a lot to do in Philadelphia. Here are a few helpful links to learn more about dining and things to see!
BLACK OWNED RESTAURANTS IN PHILADELPHIA
BLACK OWNED SHOPS AND BOUTIQUES IN PHILADELPHIA
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORIC SITES IN PHILADELPHIA
BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN PHILADELPHIA
Significant funding for the conference has been generously provided by
Additional support for the conference has been generously provided by
The 2024 Slave Dwelling Project Conference is the 8th National Conference. Previous Conferences include the following:
- Savannah, Georgia Preserving Sacred Places (2014)
- North Charleston, South Carolina A History Denied: Preserving Tangible Evidences of Slave Dwellings (2015)
- Columbia, South Carolina Using Extant Slave Dwellings to Change the Narrative (2016)
- Charlottesville, Virginia (2017)
- Middle Tennessee State University Slavery, Resistance, and Community (2018)
- Virtual held with Clemson University Changing Narratives in Changing Times (2021)
- Charleston, South Carolina The Stono Rebellion and the Atlantic World (2022)