The Exhibition's Main Exhibit Space features artifacts from Temple University's Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection pertaining to Dr. Blockson's life and artifacts of famous cultural figures within his collection, like Phillis Wheatley, Paul Robeson and Tupac Shakur and more. Additionally, the Main Exhibit Space contains sculptures, instruments paintings and artifacts of the African diaspora.

Born in 1933, right here in Norristown, Charles Leroy Blockson’s life changed at just 9 years old. In fourth grade, his history teacher, a white woman, asserted that “Negroes have no history. They were born to serve white people.” That statement launched the lifelong journey of discovery, documentation and collection celebrated in The Charles Blockson Exhibition.

In 2016 a short yet powerful documentary “Holding History: The Collections of Charles L. Blockson” was published by WPSU Penn State. This Mid-Atlantic Emmy and “Favorite Documentary Short” winner is shown to guests on arrival — in a recreation of that 4th grade classroom —, taking them on a journey through Dr. Blockson’s life to inspire and empower the next generation of Norristonians to make their own places in history.

James Blockson, Charles’ great-grandfather, had been a slave in Delaware and escaped into Pennsylvania on the Underground Railroad. Listening to his grandfather sing Railroad hymns, Charles deepened his curiosity about the struggles of freedom, and years later published The Underground Railroad: First-Person Narratives of Escapes to Freedom in the North.

The Underground Railroad exhibit features somber artifacts and relics of the atrocities of the past, as well as pieces highlighting the journey north to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

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On top of great souviners to commemorate your trip to the Blockson exhibit, the Gift Shop features books authored by Dr. Blockson as well as books, games and activities that offer continuing education and support local creators of color.

From memoirs to poems, to history books and stories of old, the Reading Room provides a place for students and classes to access subjects of African American history and culture through books from Dr. Blockson's personal collection — many featuring Dr. Blockson's personal annotations.

The John W. Mosley Collection highlights the work of one of Philadelphia's most famous photographers. From Portraits of famous civil rights leaders — like Martin Luther King, Jr., W.E.B. Dubois, Cecil B. Moore and Thurgood Marshall — to musicians and sports stars, to candid photos of everyday Philadelphians, the John W. Mosley Collection features hundreds of photographs from the the early to mid 1900s.

Featuring a 40-foot timeline of Charles Blockson's life and accomplishments juxtaposed with American history, the March through History gives vistors a more rounded understanding of Dr. Blockson's achievements in the context of the times in which they were achieved.

Opposite the timeline is the ArtsMontco gallery, a rotating showcase of paintings and pieces from local artists of color.