Blab Sports
Philadelphia Museum Hosts Free Celebration of Negro League History on July 11
On Saturday, July 11, Philadelphia’s African American Museum will open its doors at 701 Arch Street for a free, family‑friendly celebration of Black baseball. The event invites visitors to explore the city’s rich Negro League heritage through a series of talks, a documentary screening, a panel discussion, and guided tours of the museum’s “A League Apart” exhibit.
The program begins at 10:00 a.m. with Pierre LaRocco’s presentation on the Philadelphia Pythian Base Ball Club. LaRocco will trace the club’s founding in 1865 by African‑American leaders Jacob C. White Jr. and Octavius V. Catto, and explain how the Pythians became one of the earliest Negro League teams in the United States. He will outline the club’s role in shaping early Black baseball and its impact on Philadelphia’s African‑American community.
At noon, the museum will screen The Other Boys of Summer, a Tumbleweed Pictures documentary narrated by Cicely Tyson. The film examines racism, segregation, and civil rights through the lives of Negro League players, featuring interviews with former athletes who competed alongside Jackie Robinson.
From 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. a discussion panel will follow the screening. Director Lauren Meyer and Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, will focus on preserving the stories of Negro League athletes and their relevance to contemporary conversations about race and sports.
The afternoon’s highlight is the 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. guided tour of the “A League Apart” exhibit led by Brian Michael, founder of Phillies Nation and co‑owner of Shibe Vintage Sports. The exhibit showcases artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that illustrate the challenges and achievements of Black baseball players in the early twentieth century.
The African American Museum, which opened during the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations, is the first municipally funded African‑American museum in the United States. Located in Philadelphia’s historic district, the building sits a block from Independence National Historic Park and a short walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The event is open to all ages and free of charge. The museum’s calendar lists the program as a public, family‑friendly experience designed to connect families, baseball enthusiasts, history lovers, and lifelong learners with the rich heritage of the Negro Leagues.
Schedule for the day: - 10:00‑11:00 a.m. – Presentation on the Philadelphia Pythian Base Ball Club by Pierre LaRocco - 12:00 p.m. – Screening of The Other Boys of Summer - 1:00‑1:45 p.m. – Film discussion with Lauren Meyer and Bob Kendrick - 2:30‑4:30 p.m. – Guided tours of the “A League Apart” exhibit with Brian Michael
The “A League Apart” exhibit is part of a broader effort to preserve and interpret African‑American history in Philadelphia. Its hands‑on art‑making activities engage visitors of all ages and encourage reflection on the social and cultural contexts that shaped the Negro Leagues.
The celebration of Black baseball history on July 11 underscores the ongoing importance of preserving the stories of the Negro Leagues. By bringing together historians, filmmakers, and community members, the African American Museum offers a platform for education and remembrance.
The event will conclude with a final opportunity for visitors to view the exhibit and ask questions of the museum staff. Staff will remain on site until closing time to answer inquiries and facilitate discussions about the historical significance of the Negro Leagues.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot in the presentation and to take advantage of the free, family‑friendly atmosphere. The museum’s location on Arch Street makes it easily accessible by public transportation and within walking distance of several major Philadelphia landmarks.
The African American Museum invites the public to join in this celebration of Black baseball history, offering a unique blend of education, film, discussion, and interactive exhibits that highlight the contributions of Negro League players to American sports and culture.
The program begins at 10:00 a.m. with Pierre LaRocco’s presentation on the Philadelphia Pythian Base Ball Club. LaRocco will trace the club’s founding in 1865 by African‑American leaders Jacob C. White Jr. and Octavius V. Catto, and explain how the Pythians became one of the earliest Negro League teams in the United States. He will outline the club’s role in shaping early Black baseball and its impact on Philadelphia’s African‑American community.
At noon, the museum will screen The Other Boys of Summer, a Tumbleweed Pictures documentary narrated by Cicely Tyson. The film examines racism, segregation, and civil rights through the lives of Negro League players, featuring interviews with former athletes who competed alongside Jackie Robinson.
From 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. a discussion panel will follow the screening. Director Lauren Meyer and Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, will focus on preserving the stories of Negro League athletes and their relevance to contemporary conversations about race and sports.
The afternoon’s highlight is the 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. guided tour of the “A League Apart” exhibit led by Brian Michael, founder of Phillies Nation and co‑owner of Shibe Vintage Sports. The exhibit showcases artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that illustrate the challenges and achievements of Black baseball players in the early twentieth century.
The African American Museum, which opened during the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations, is the first municipally funded African‑American museum in the United States. Located in Philadelphia’s historic district, the building sits a block from Independence National Historic Park and a short walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The event is open to all ages and free of charge. The museum’s calendar lists the program as a public, family‑friendly experience designed to connect families, baseball enthusiasts, history lovers, and lifelong learners with the rich heritage of the Negro Leagues.
Schedule for the day: - 10:00‑11:00 a.m. – Presentation on the Philadelphia Pythian Base Ball Club by Pierre LaRocco - 12:00 p.m. – Screening of The Other Boys of Summer - 1:00‑1:45 p.m. – Film discussion with Lauren Meyer and Bob Kendrick - 2:30‑4:30 p.m. – Guided tours of the “A League Apart” exhibit with Brian Michael
The “A League Apart” exhibit is part of a broader effort to preserve and interpret African‑American history in Philadelphia. Its hands‑on art‑making activities engage visitors of all ages and encourage reflection on the social and cultural contexts that shaped the Negro Leagues.
The celebration of Black baseball history on July 11 underscores the ongoing importance of preserving the stories of the Negro Leagues. By bringing together historians, filmmakers, and community members, the African American Museum offers a platform for education and remembrance.
The event will conclude with a final opportunity for visitors to view the exhibit and ask questions of the museum staff. Staff will remain on site until closing time to answer inquiries and facilitate discussions about the historical significance of the Negro Leagues.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot in the presentation and to take advantage of the free, family‑friendly atmosphere. The museum’s location on Arch Street makes it easily accessible by public transportation and within walking distance of several major Philadelphia landmarks.
The African American Museum invites the public to join in this celebration of Black baseball history, offering a unique blend of education, film, discussion, and interactive exhibits that highlight the contributions of Negro League players to American sports and culture.
