Explore the rich history of Philadelphia’s Seventh Ward, a testament to the city’s diverse past and indomitable spirit.

Now known as Society Hill and Graduate Hospital, this area once served as a vibrant epicenter for Black Americans in the 19th century. But cultural shifts and political moves in the mid-20th century had a bleaching effect, erasing many of their relics and hallmarks. Today, only 7% of the area’s population is Black.

In tribute to the Black City Makers who built this vital hub, they invite you to step back through time. Visit community landmarks and get to know prominent locals who worked relentlessly to uplift the Seventh Ward–people like Octavius Catto, Fanny Jackson Coppin, or W.E.B. Du Bois, who famously mapped and studied the area in his groundbreaking sociological work, The Philadelphia Negro.

As you follow in their footsteps, look for traces of residents in windows and doors. Reflecting Revenants offers a unique and introspective journey with candid archival photographs of Black residents from the late 1800s–1960s.