On Buried Ground

Christ Church Preservation Trust

Shayla-Vie Jenkins performs in the Christ Church Burial Ground. Photo by Vince Lattuca.

A stylish black and white portrait of playwright Angela Bey. — Playwright Angela Bey. Photo by Kate Raines Photography.

Recipient

Grant Year 2023

Grant Amount $300,500

Status Completed

Updated March 5, 2025

An immersive performance and exhibition reveal the histories of enslaved and freed people of African descent in Philadelphia during the American colonial era. Dance artist Shayla-Vie Jenkins and playwright Angela Bey develop an evening of theatrical storytelling, informed by new scholarship and archival records, including newly digitized records from sixteen early Philadelphia congregations. An exhibition of artifacts that inspired the performance, an interactive story map that visitors can contribute to, and public discussions with historians, artists, and archivists contextualize daily life for Black people in colonial America and foreground their roles in American history.

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The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.

Primary EventsEvents & Exhibitions

On Buried Ground Performances

Sep 4–14, 2024
Christ Church Neighborhood House
20 N American Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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Groundings: An Exhibition

Jul 26–Dec 26, 2024
Neighborhood House
20 N American Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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Recipient

Christ Church Preservation Trust

Christ Church Preservation Trust (the Trust) supports the preservation, restoration, and maintenance of three historic sites: Christ Church, Christ Church Neighborhood House, and Christ Church Burial Ground. A National Historic Landmark, Christ Church counted many significant historical figures among its parishioners, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Betsy Ross, and John Adams. The site welcomes over 250,000 visitors annually, making it one of the top 10 most frequently visited sites in the Philadelphia region.

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