Pennsylvania Hall (Philadelphia)

Pennsylvania Hall
An illustration of Pennsylvania Hall at its opening in 1838
Map
General information
StatusDestroyed by arson
Address109 N. 6th Street
Town or cityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
CountryUnited States
InauguratedMay 14, 1838
ClosedMay 17, 1838
Cost$40,000 (equivalent to $1,144,500 in 2023)
OwnerPennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society
Height42 feet (13 m)[1]: 3 
Dimensions
Other dimensions62 x 100 feet (19 x 30 m)[1]: 3 
Technical details
Floor count3 + basement
Design and construction
Architect(s)Thomas Somerville Stewart

Pennsylvania Hall, "one of the most commodious and splendid buildings in the city,"[2] was an abolitionist venue in Philadelphia, built in 1837–38. It was a "Temple of Free Discussion", where antislavery, women's rights, and other reform lecturers could be heard.[3] Four days after it opened it was destroyed by arson, the work of an anti-abolitionist mob.

This was only six months after the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy by a pro-slavery mob in Illinois, a free state. The abolitionist movement consequently became stronger. The process repeated itself with Pennsylvania Hall; the movement gained strength because of the outrage the burning caused. Abolitionists realized that in some places they would be met with violence. The country became more polarized.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Book was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference pbs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Caust-Ellenbogen, Celia (2010). "Daniel Neall, Sr". Quakers and Slavery. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2020.

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