African American Heritage: Freedom’s Trail

Day One 

Morning - Visit Brandywine Battlefield, where on September 11, 1777, 15,000 British troops clashed with 11,000 Americans in the Battle of Brandywine. One heroic African-American soldier, Ned Hector, refused to abandon his team of horses and supply wagon during the retreat.

Afternoon - Tour the Valley Forge National Historical Park, featuring an African-American patriots’ monument. Hear the story of Hannah and Isaac Till, an enslaved couple who served as Gen. George Washington’s cooks for six years, including the winter at Valley Forge.  Learn about the estimated 5,000 African-Americans who fought in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. 

Dinner - Dine at a historic 250-year-old country inn featuring the finest in Continental cuisine with an old-world charm at Historic General Warren Inne.

Day Two

Morning - Head to Wyck, a home owned by two Quaker families, the Wistars and Haines.  Both families were active in the 18th and 19th century anti-slavery activities.  Take a tour and learn about the lives of wealthy Quakers and the balance of personal comforts with social activism.

Afternoon - Johnson House, built in 1768, was the home of the Johnson family, prominent Quakers and abolitionists. This is the only Underground Railroad station in Philadelphia which remains intact and is open to the public.

Day Three

Morning - After the Battle of Germantown, British soldiers were ordered to burn several properties in the community, among them was Stenton, a 1730 mansion.  A freed slave named Dinah saved the mansion through her quick thinking. Tours of the mansion, African American foodways demonstrations and a reenactor who portrays Dinah are available. 

Afternoon - Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia. The museum collects artifacts and interprets the lives and contributions of African Americans.