.png)
Negro Entry Book
Historians consider this one of the most important historical documents highlighting local African American history. Dr. Leroy Hopkins, writer of The Negro Entry Book: A Document of Lancaster City's Antebellum Afro-American Community states that not only is it unique due to it being the only directory to exist before 1843, but most importantly, The Entry Book is an invaluable guide to Lancaster City's Antebellum Black Population.
African American Records Collection
African American Records Collection
This collection contains papers and local government records related to Black history in Lancaster County, including an index to Lancaster County's register of enslaved persons, Mayor's Register of Coloured Persons or Negro Entry Book, and a biographical account of Rev. James William Charles Pennington. There are official records for enslaved persons and their children in Lancaster County, as well as freemen within Lancaster City. The collection also contains a manumission paper from the state of Virginia, a certificate for free persons of color, and letters from anti-slavery societies."- LancasterHistory
​
The digital collection is available at Items related to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Lancaster County.
The Fifteenth Amendment: Black Men's Right to Vote
In 1870, citizens of Lancaster celebrated what was called a "Jubilee"...a community out-pouring of happiness and satisfaction that a cherished prize -- after years of struggle and waiting -- had finally been won. What was it? The right to vote as full-fledged citizens finally had been restored...to black men at least. They had been stripped of that basic democratic right in Pennsylvania since 1838. Hundreds of citizens marched in the streets of the City and elsewhere across the County in peaceful mass demonstrations of prayer, joy and hope for the future.
Columbia, Slavery, & The Underground Railroad
Columbia and its diverse community have been at the center of the national narratives about the Underground Railroad and early anti-slavery sentiments. This community also faced fierce resistance to the modest social and economic gains of its residents of African descent.
​
Download this 57-page reprint from History of Lancaster County to find one set of perspectives on these issues from the community's most well-known 19th century historian.
Columbia and its diverse community have been at the center of the national narratives about the Underground Railroad and early anti-slavery sentiments. This community also faced fierce resistance to the modest social and economic gains of its residents of African descent.
​
Download this 57-page reprint from History of Lancaster County to find one set of perspectives on these issues from the community's most well-known 19th century historian.