Exhibits & Collections

Two Eras Linked in Love, Battle, and Literature:
Scenes from The Black Arts Movement and The Harlem Renaissance.

Take a tour of the Black Writers Museum and view all forms of literary expression from as early as the 19th century. A treasure of fiction and non-fiction, classic and contemporary compositions that express, explain and elaborate on the African American perspective and experience.

With an array of displayed rare works from the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement, coupled with authentic artifacts and documents, journals, magazines and vinyl recordings, the exhibits provide an insightful and riveting view of the dichotomy of “living while Black” in America. Remarking the kaleidoscope of the African American journey in American and world history, BWM exhibits, archives and library presents a story continuing to unfold.

What we collect

The Black Writers Museum collects and is a repository for first edition, rare, classic and contemporary books, historic documents, manuscripts, vinyl, taped and digital recordings, newspapers, magazines, journals, artifacts, paintings, photographs, family histories, and all things that provide context to African American history as expressed in the literary medium.

Barbara Daniel-Cox Collection

The estate of the late Barbara Daniel-Cox, a “founding friend” and BWM board member has gifted a treasure of books, photographs, posters, African carvings, recordings and personal history collected by the advocate and Philadelphia civil and community icon.  As an expansive contribution to the BWM archives, the Bdc Collection consists of over 1,000 items that captures the African American experience in civil rights, music and culture, arts, and the Black contemporary aesthetic.

Anne E. Phillips Collection

The Black Writers Museum inherited a collection of over 400 books from the estate of the late Dr. Anne E. Phillips. As a history professor at Rowan University, Phillips immediately supported the Black Writers Museum after visiting in 2015. This comprehensive collection contains fiction and non-fiction compositions covering the African American struggle in civil rights and social justice. “To me it feels as though this is a part of my sister that will continue to live on and be an influence to people of any demographic,” said sister of professor Phillips, Mary Jane Phillips.” “I know she would be so proud seeing this here.”