Building Knowledge and Breaking Barriers Exhibit Opens at PHS

The Presbyterian Historical Society is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Building Knowledge and Breaking Barriers (BKBB) exhibit. The six installation exhibit spotlights research projects by Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) students, with topics including the Black church, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, representative public art in Philadelphia, and white Christian attitudes toward Asian communities.

BKBB is an archives-based learning project that for two years has brought educators and students from Community College of Philadelphia together with PHS to explore more than 500 years of history. Two outdoor installations are viewable at PHS, with indoor displays becoming open to the public as pandemic conditions improve. Interactive digital exhibits of all student installations are now available at www.BKBBphilly.org/exhibit.

Heavily influenced by the global pandemic and nationwide protests for racial justice, the Building Knowledge and Breaking Barriers exhibit showcases CCP students interpreting local and international history in a truly reflective manner. The students worked on their team project for over a year.

“The students have done an amazing job taking materials from the PHS collections and using them to address historical topics that are very resonant today. The diversity of topics and styles of presentation are both engaging and thought-provoking,” said Nancy J. Taylor, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Historical Society.

“We have learned a lot through this collaboration with Community College of Philadelphia students and are pleased to help bring their insights to a wider audience.”

Outdoor BKBB installations are available to view Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Indoor installation availability will be announced pending updates to pandemic restrictions in Philadelphia but are now available to view online at BKBBphilly.org. Also available at the BKBB site are primary sources and teaching guides, student scholarship, and professor and intern insights created during the project.

Contact BKBB to learn more about the project, and how archives can team up with educators and schools in your community.