In 1793, a yellow fever epidemic shook Philadelphia, the new nation’s capital. Many residents, including medical practitioners, fled the city. In their absence, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones of the Free African Society marshaled their organization’s members to provide free care to the sick and dying. Panelists will explore the work of the Free African Society during the pandemic along with a discussion of the backlash that emerged against the Free African Society in the wake of the epidemic.

By virtually sharing artifacts, curators and historians will use them as a springboard for a lively discussion to explore how the past can help us better understand the present. The format will be a moderated dialogue among the panelists with the opportunity for the audience to pose additional questions.

Preregister.