What Was Purvis Reading? The Books of A Great Abolitionist

What Was Purvis Reading? The Books of A Great Abolitionist 

November 15, 2025 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM 

Byberry Friends Meeting, 3001 Byberry Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154  

Tickets: Free -- Registration Required  

Discover the reading habits of noted Philadelphia Black abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader Robert Purvis (1810-1898), based on the historic Byberry Library Company book collection and 1850s and 1860s circulation records. See the very books Purvis read when he was a Library Company member (and while he and his wife Harriet were secretly helping freedom-seekers at their nearby Byberry home)!  

Hear presentations and a panel discussion by historians and archivists, view actual books Purvis checked out from the Byberry Library Company, participate in a “scavenger hunt” to find additional Purvis books, and tour the historic Byberry Library and 1808 Byberry Friends Meeting House. 

Light refreshments will be served. Free parking. 

Agenda and Speakers 

1:00 – 1:30 – Sign-in and book exhibition open 

1:30 – 1:40 – Welcome with Jack McCarthy, Project Director, Poquessing Trail of History 

1:45 – 2:15 – Presentation by Michiko Quinones and staff of 1838 Philadelphia Black Metropolis 

2:15 – 2:45 – Presentation by AJ Aiseirithe, Purvis scholar, Library of Congress 

2:45 – 3:15 – Break and Byberry Library tours 

3:15 – 3:45 – Presentation by Jack McCarthy, Project Director, Poquessing Trail of History 

3:45 – 4:00 – Presentation by Celia Caust-Ellenbogen, Associate Curator, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College 

4:00 – 4:30 – Panel Discussion with audience Q&A 

4:30 – 5:00 – Refreshments and Byberry Library tours