The Library Company of Philadelphia, in partnership with the American Philosophical Society, presents:
The Mellon Scholars Summer Program
Schedule and Info Hub
*Click on each tab for more details about the daily schedule
Important Information
Reading List
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Growing Up with the Country: Family, Race, and Nation after the Civil War (2018) by Kendra Field
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Tacky’s Revolt: The Story of an Atlantic Slave War (2020) by Vincent Brown
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Additionally, read “Black Founders: The Free Black Community in the Early Republic” (2008), an LCP publication by Richard Newman and Phil Lapsansky, to help you prepare for the tours and topics we’ll explore during our week of programming. Make sure to browse the appendix as well, which features many notable figures you will continue to encounter throughout your research.
Additional Resources:
Final Assignment and Presentation
Mellon Scholars are expected to develop research skills and explore African American history by undertaking an independent research project that draws on the Library Company’s African American History collections. Each year, scholars present on their topic at the close of programming and publish a blog post about their research. Please click to link below to see the requirements:
Mellon Summer Scholars Final Assignment and Presentation Instructions
Housing
Scholars will stay at Louise Stahl Residence Hall at Moore College of Art & Design (1916 Race Street, Philadelphia).
Each scholar will have a private suite, with every two suites sharing one bathroom. Suites include air conditioning, mini-fridges, and microwaves. A shared kitchenette is available for all residents.
Several grocery stores are within walking distance, including Trader Joe’s and Giant.
The Library Company and residence hall will provide
- Essential Twin XL bedding
- Laundry supplies
- Basic kitchen supplies
- Paper towels and toilet paper
Recommended packing list
Important documents
- Student ID, driver’s license and/or passport
- Insurance card
- Debit and/or credit card
- List of emergency contacts
Technology
- Phone
- Laptop
- Headphones
- Chargers for all devices
- Extension cord
Daily essentials
- A reliable backpack or bag for everyday use
- Writing supplies (pencils, paper, notebook, etc.)
- You are welcome to bring pens, highlighters, or other ink products for personal use, but they are not permitted in the reading rooms.
Clothing
- Clothes for 10 days (space will be limited, so pack only what you expect to wear)
- Business casual attire for daily work in the library and during tours
- A warm layer for air-conditioned indoor spaces
- At least one business professional outfit for final presentations and the Juneteenth celebration on Tuesday, June 16
- Umbrella or rainwear for summer weather
Comfort and personal items
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- Basic toiletries and hygiene supplies
- Shower shoes
- Mattress topper or similar comfort items
- Any additional items that will help make your dorm stay comfortable
Stipends
Stipends will be disbursed as follows:
- June 5th: $50 payment deposited (Intended to assist with travel to Moore College, a meal, or anything else you may need your first evening before the program begins)
- June 8th: $500 first half of stipend deposited (Your stipend is intended to cover the cost of your travel to and from the Library each day, meals, and any other needs you have during your stay in Philadelphia)
- June 15th: $500 second half of stipend deposited
Program Schedule, June 7 – 17
Sunday, 6/7
Arrival
Monday, 6/8
Intro to LCP
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Light breakfast and introduction to the PAAH Mellon Summer Scholars Program (Jim) | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Reading Rooms orientation (Scheide + GAD), Q&A with collections staff | 1st Floor Reading Room |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch on your own | Cassatt House Kitchen + Back Office |
| 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Workshops with Wynn & Tamar | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 5:00 PM onward | Time on your own; dinner on your own |
Tuesday, 6/9
Black Founders
Tours Today:
The Richard Allen Museum at Mother Bethel AME
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00AM – 10:00AM | Black Founders at LCP | 1st Floor R.Room / GAD |
| 10:00 AM | Leave for Mother Bethel, arrive by 10:30AM | |
| 10:30AM – 12:00PM | Tour the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and Richard Allen Museum | 419 S 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30PM | Lunch on Your Own | South Street / Cassatt |
| 1:30 PM | Research / Work on your own | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 3:00PM – 4:30PM | The Black Healers Who Saved Philadelphia in 1793 Lecture and Discussion with Jim | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 5:00PM – onward | Time on your own, Dinner on your own |
Wednesday, 6/10
Black Philadelphia in the 18th and 19th Century
Tours Today:
Black History Guided Tour at the Museum of the American Revolution
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00AM – 11:00 AM | Research / Work on your own | Reading Room Available, Cassatt House Conference Room Available |
| 11:00AM – 11:30AM | Scholar Check-In with Jim | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch on Your Own | Cassatt House Kitchen + Back Office |
| 12:30 PM | Leave for Museum of the American Revolution, Arrive by 12:45PM | |
| 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Tour the Museum of the American Revolution: | 101 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| 1 – 2pm: Arrival, Self Guided Gallery Tour | ||
| 2 – 3pm: Discussion in Founders Boardroom | ||
| 3 – 4pm: Declarations Journey Guided Tour + Conclusion, Departure | ||
| 4:00 PM – onward | Time on your own, Dinner on your own |
Thursday, 6/11
Afterlives of the Slavery in the 20th and 21st Century
Tours Today:
Exploring Black History at Eastern State Penitentiary
Exploring Black Philadelphia in the Urban Archives at Temple’s Special Collections Research Center
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00AM – 10:30AM | Exploring Slavery & Carceral Histories in PA | Reading Room Available, Cassatt House Conference Room Available |
| 10:30 AM | (optional) Leave for Eastern State, arrive by 11:00AM | |
| 11:00AM – 12:30PM | (optional) Eastern State Tour | 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130 |
| 12:45 PM | Leave for Temple, arrive by 1:00PM | |
| 1:00PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch on your own | |
| 2:00PM – 5:00PM | Visit Special Collections Research Center, intro the the Urban Archives Collection | 1900 N. 13th St. Philadelphia PA 19122 |
| 5:00PM – onward | Time on your own, Dinner on your own |
Friday, 6/12
Optimizing Research, Continuing Professional Development
Workshop Today with Dr. Rana Hogarth and Dr. John Garcia
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00AM – 12:00PM | Research / Work on your own | Reading Room Available, Cassatt House Conference Room Available |
| 12:00PM – 1:30PM | Lunch on Your Own | |
| 1:30PM – 2:30PM | Workshop with Dr. Rana Hogarth | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 2:45 – 5:00PM | Workshop with Dr. John Garcia | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 5:00PM – onward | Time on your own, Dinner on your own |
Saturday, 6/13
Black Philadelphia and Public History Today
Tours Today: Paul Robeson House Museum
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
| 10:30AM – 12:00PM | Tour Paul Robeson House Museum & Archive | 4951 Walnut Street |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00PM | Lunch at PRHM | |
| 1:00 PM | Walk to Hakim’s Bookstore (Oldest Black-Owned Bookstore on the East Coast) | |
| onward | Time on your own, Dinner on your own |
Sunday, 6/14
Time on your own
Monday, 6/15
Finalizing Presentations
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00AM – 12:00PM | Research, Work on Final Presentations | 1st Floor R.Room / GAD |
| 12:00PM – 1:30PM | Lunch on your own | |
| 1:30PM – 3:00PM | Research, Work on Final Presentations | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 3:00PM – 4:30PM | Office Hours: Meet with Jim to Discuss Research Projects | Cassatt House Office |
| 5:00PM – onward | Time on your own, Dinner on your own |
Tuesday, 6/16
Presentations and Juneteenth Program
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Time on your own | |
| 1:00 PM | Arrive at LCP | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Final presentations | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Certificate of completion ceremony; photos / headshots | Cassatt House Parlor |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Time on your own | Cassatt House Parlor |
| 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Juneteenth event: “From Ledger to Genome: Data and the History of Black Life” | Logan Room |
| 7:30 – 9:00 PM | Closing Dinner | Almyra Restaurant |
Wednesday, 6/17
Departure