February, 2010, marks the 250th birthday of Bishop Richard Allen, a revered figure in African American history and one of the nation’s leading abolitionists. In honor of his birth, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Library Company of Philadelphia have partnered to bring you an online exhibition, Richard Allen: Apostle of Freedom. The exhibit features documents from both societies. These documents will also be on display during a panel discussion at the Historical Society on February 10 at 6 p.m., which will feature the pastors of Mother Bethel AME Church, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church, and Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church along with history professor Richard Newman, author of Freedom’s Prophet: Bishop Richard Allen, the AME Church, and the Black Founding Fathers. The moderator will be University of Pennsylvania professor Anthea Butler, who specializes in African American religious history. For more information or to register for the event click here.

Special thanks to our media sponsor, the Philadelphia Tribune.