Bristol Township students tour African American Historical and Cultural Society, district cites partnership and volunteer needs

Throughout February, students from Bristol Township Schools visited the African American Historical and Cultural Society of Bucks County for library tours and a special Black History Month presentation, an agency official with Bristol Township Schools said.

The district official said the society moved into space in the district administration building last year after the nonprofit and district administration worked together to find a new home. "You know, to call this, just a historical society, would be an understatement. It really is a library," the official said, praising the society's collection and saying students can "see themselves in the literature" they find there.

A staff member speaking for the society described the presentations as focusing on local historical connections in Bucks County and said the society uses the professional development room in the administration building as a research library. The staff member highlighted an anecdote about one board member, Louise Davis, identified in the presentation as a third cousin to Harriet Tubman; the anecdote is used during reenactments and to engage students.

The society is run by volunteers, the staff member said, and the presentation encouraged community members and students to get involved. "For each class that we've had here, they've all been very attentive and asked questions and have even — one class even asked if they could come back and volunteer time with us," the staff member said.

Students who attended described learning new facts about Black history and noted local connections to national figures. One student said, "I like that I learned a lot of new things about Black history," and listed role models including Wilma Rudolph, Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman.

The visit is part of the district's Black History Month activities; district and society representatives did not announce any formal policy changes or funding commitments during the presentation. The society continues to seek volunteers to support its research library and programs; those interested were encouraged to contact the African American Historical and Cultural Society of Bucks County for opportunities to help document and share local history.