"My main goal in life is to build a good library of Black history — knowledge is a form of Black power and this is my part in it."
— Charles L. Blockson
CURRENT EXHIBIT
SHOWCASE OF LOCAL BLACK FIGURES
The Centre Theater Gallery is proud to showcase the works of two local Black creators in its first ever gallery showcase. These powerful works from Charles Blockson, John Mosley and others will be on display at Centre Theater's third-floor gallery from February 1 — March 31, 2021.
$5 ADULT | $3 COLLEGE STUDENT | ALL OTHER STUDENTS FREE!
BLOCKSON EXHIBITION
INFORMATION ON WORKS EXHIBITED IN THIS ROOM GOES HERE
BLOCKSON EXHIBITION (VIDEO ROOM)
INFORMATION ON WORKS EXHIBITED IN THIS ROOM GOES HERE
MOSLEY COLLECTION (ROOM 1)
INFORMATION ON WORKS EXHIBITED IN THIS ROOM GOES HERE
MOSLEY COLLECTION (ROOM 2)
INFORMATION ON WORKS EXHIBITED IN THIS ROOM GOES HERE
MOSLEY COLLECTION (ROOM 3)
INFORMATION ON WORKS EXHIBITED IN THIS ROOM GOES HERE
LINCOLN CHAIR
INFORMATION ON WORKS EXHIBITED IN THIS ROOM GOES HERE
SHAKUR COLLECTION
INFORMATION ON WORKS EXHIBITED IN THIS ROOM GOES HERE
The Centre Theater Gallery is located on the Theater's 3rd floor and is accessibile by stairs or elevator. The current shoacase of local black figures runs from February 1 — March 31.
(click the grayed-out images on the map to learn more about each exhibit)
CHARLES L. BLOCKSON EXHIBITION On Display February 1 — March 31, 2021
From his early childhood in Norristown, Charles accumulated an incredible collection of rare materials documenting the story of African Americans. The historian and scholar is the author of 13 books, including on the Underground Railroad, about which he is an expert.
The Charles L. Blockson exhibition is a celebration of his life's work and the major contriutions he made to the recorded history and culture of African Americans, contenental Africans, and the African diaspora.
Centre Theater, in partnership with Elmwood Park Zoo and Temple University, is proud to have to opportunity to showcase the collected works of this Norristown-native and award-winning historian. The Charles L. Blockson exhibition will be on display in the newly constructed second-floor gallery in Centre Theater at 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown.
Excerpt from a WPSU Penn State original production, this short-form documentary tells the story of Charles L. Blockson’s lifelong journey to unearth and preserve the history, culture, and contributions of people of African descent.
"From the shackles we emerged into writers, judges, PREACHERS, ministers, actors... all kinds of endeavors in life.
It gives me strength and determination to carry on."
JOHN W. MOSLEY COLLECTION On Display February 1 — March 31, 2021
John W. Mosley (1907-1969) was a Philadelphia-area African American photographer whose images appeared in African American newspapers throughout the eastern United States. As a witness and chronicler of the many changes in politics, culture, sports and fashion from the late 1930s to the late 1960s, he photographed many prominent figures in the African American community. His subjects included Marian Anderson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Paul Robeson, Cab Calloway, W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, players of the Negro Baseball League, and many others.
The Gallery is proud to be displaying the powerful images he captured alongside our other featured local Black figures as a part of our first ever exhibit. The John W. Mosley Collection will be on display in the newly constructed second-floor gallery in Centre Theater at 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown.
