“Lest We Forget” Black Holocaust Museum of Slavery

The Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery provides a unique historical perspective into the reality of slavery for Africans brought to America. It is the only museum of its kind in Philadelphia that exhibits authentic slavery artifacts which include hundreds of shackles, chains, coffles, branding irons and other forms of punishing ironware.

Authentic documents show how enslaved Africans were bought and sold as chattel. Numerous “Jim Crow” objects which negatively depicted and ridiculed African Americans, creating a lasting racist attitude, are also on display. Incredible African works of art – sculpture, oil paintings and vintage photographs line the walls of the museum. Descriptive contextual panels are posted throughout to assist visitors in understanding the significance of this period in American history.