The “Who Am I?” program highlighting Black History Month in February is coming to Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township Feb. 4 and Pearl Buck Elementary School in Middletown Feb. 12-13
Officials at two Bucks County schools are excited about a new way to showcase Black History Month in February, courtesy of the African American Museum of Bucks County.
The AAMBC’s “Who Am I?” program is coming to Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township Feb. 4 and Neshaminy’s Pearl Buck Elementary School in Middletown Feb. 12-13.
It involves a pop-up exhibit with four stations, each representing a different era of American history. Teachers will be given “prework” featuring a short biography of some African Americans included in the exhibit to engage students in the classroom before visiting the four stations, a museum news release said.
Museum representatives at each station will then educate students on the African American experience of that era. Students will be challenged to identify the one historical figure of the era highlighted at each station on their classroom worksheet to reveal a comprehensive written summary of the historical figure’s contributions.
Each station will have either a mannequin or a live volunteer dressed as the historical figure to make the experience real to the students, the release added.
The in-school programs are not open to the public.
Bucks County African Americans featured in the program are Bucks County Court Senior Judge Clyde Waite, the first African American county judge; Leonard Miller, who along with his son Leonard became the first African American race car ownership team to win a NASCAR track championship; and Selma Burke, who designed the profile of Franklin D. Roosevelt that appears on the dime.
“The African American story is a major part of America’s history,” AAMBC program coordinator Ruben Christie said. “The AAMBC’s mission is to ensure the message is told and preserved for generations and it starts with the youngest members of our community.
“I am particularly inspired by the section of our pop-up exhibit entitled ’Hidden Figures of Bucks County’ where we highlight modern-day African Americans with significant contributions who live among us in the county.”
Pearl Buck Principal Brian Kern agreed.
“We felt that having a focus on local, prominent African Americans would bring greater meaning to the presentation for our students,” he said. “We also believe giving attention to the lesser known history of the underground railroad in our area was important to share with our students.”
Bucks County Technical High School Administrative Director Leon Poeske said he believes the program will impress students. The school draws from the Bensalem, Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
“Our school saw this traveling museum as a great way to educate our students and highlight some of the historic African American figures that have had an influence in this country and Bucks County,” Poeske said.
The AAMBC is a mobile operation that is seeking a permanent location.
