Overview

New dimensions of American history

As oral historian Julie Rainbow gathered the stories of African American elders in Philadelphia, she discovered new dimensions of American history. The elders' stories revealed a little-known connection between the Second Great Migration and the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. The AME Church played a substantial role in the Second Great Migration between 1940 and 1970, resulting in new styles of worship, new entrepreneurial opportunities, social and political activism, and a Philadelphia renaissance in the arts and entertainment.

As the creator and developer of Journey to Sanctuary, Julie is seeking to share these tremendous histories with audiences of all ages and diversities. Drawing strongly on the elders’ oral histories, Journey to Sanctuary is a multi-layered educational project consisting of exhibits, performances, public discussions, and an interactive website. The project shares how African Americans from the South bravely left their homes and traveled North, in search of freedom to live, work and worship in peace, safety and equality. Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley received thousands of migrants, and is forever changed as a result.

Julie first brought her vision of the project to other researchers and historians in 2014. Recognizing the urgency of completing the work while there are still living witnesses to the Great Migration history, the researchers quickly assembled a team to facilitate the work. They brought together community historians and story tellers, humanities scholars, administrative and research assistants, archivists, curators, designers and entertainers to create a set of memorable experiences.

The planned centerpiece of Journey to Sanctuary is an exhibit, to be installed at Mother Bethel’s Richard Allen Museum, founded in 1912 and located in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district. Audiences will experience the Second Great Migration in four interactive formats: (1) a long-term exhibit at both the Richard Allen Museum and Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; (2) a traveling exhibition; (3) community forums; and (4) an interactive website.