Blockson Black History Exhibit at the Centre Theater in Norristown

In collaboration with the Elmwood Park Zoo, the Centre Theater in Norristown recently opened the brand-new Charles L. Blockson Exhibition: an African and Afro-American Collection. The new exhibit features portions of Blockson’s private collection of more than 700,000 items and artifacts that are related to the global Black experience in a brand-new gallery space built inside the historic theater.

Born in Norristown in 1933, Charles L. Blockson is world renowned for his expertise in Black genealogy and the Underground Railroad. His collection (featuring rare books, current periodicals, letters, photographs, artifacts and memorabilia) was amassed throughout his life-spanning career as a historian, bibliophile, and author. The exhibition focuses on his life’s work in documenting the global Black experience through history, and is made possible by Blockson, Curator Emeritus, and The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Temple University.

• Manuscripts from music artist Tupac Shakur

• Memorabilia from Mr. Blockson’s youth

• Images of rare books available at the Blockson Collection including The Underground Railroad by William Still

• Photos by John W. Mosley, a self taught Philadelphian photographer who chronicled Black life in and around Philadelphia from the late 1930s to the late 1960s

• “Men of Color” Civil War recruitment poster; issued in 1863, this promotion that urged African American men to enlist in the Union army was written by Frederick Douglass

• The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s (VFTCB) third Arts Montco Wall installation featuring physical works from eight Black artists in the region.

The exhibit is one of many unique cultural offerings under development in an effort to provide Montgomery County residents with increased access to arts and culture. Elmwood Park Zoo and The Centre Theater are leading this movement, along with community liaisons such as the Norristown Borough Council and Norristown School District. Additional strategic partners include the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, Arts Montco, EC Fence & Iron Works, Representative Matt Bradford, Tompkins Vist Bank, and The DeNicola Family Foundation. Further details on the exhibition are available at the Centre Theater Gallery website at thecentretheater. com/gallery. The Centre Theater is operated by The Greater Norristown Society for the Arts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

The exhibition is open to the public every Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults (ages 13 and up), $5 for children (ages 3-12), $5 for students with a valid ID, and free for infants 0 to 2. Tickets are available at the Centre Theater’s website at thecentretheater.com.