Online Presentation

In A House Built By Slaves: African American Encounters with Abraham Lincoln

Presented by Dr. Jonathan W. White, Associate Professor of American Studies, Director, Pre-Law Program, Senior Fellow, Center for American Studies At Christopher Newport University

Prior to the Civil War, African Americans were almost entirely excluded from the White House, other than as servants or slaves. However, during the war, the racial color line was broken down as African Americans claimed the First Amendment right to petition the government. For the first time in the history of the United States, they saw the president as their president and the White House as their people’s house. Between 1862 and 1865 Lincoln welcomed hundreds of African Americans into his White House office and at public receptions. This talk will explore the remarkable story of the relationship that developed between Abraham Lincoln and the black community during the crucible of the Civil War.


Dr. James Paradis will highlight an engraving from the walls of Camp William Penn Museum: ‘Henry Clay: Compromise of 1850.”


This is a free Zoom event

Date: Sunday, February 27, 2022 Time: 3:00 pm

NOTE: To reserve a virtual seat for this event send an email to pt@usct.org and you will be sent a link with a password giving you access to the presentation. We look forward to having you join us.

This program is funded in part by the Jenkinstown Lyceum.

Postponed: Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day

This week the CROHL Board and the Committee for the Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day held a meeting specifically to decide whether or not to go ahead with our plans for Sept 18.

It was an unanimous decision to reluctantly reschedule for 2022 in light of some of the experiences participants have had relative to the COVID virus in the last week.

Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day

Join us in Honoring our Heritage

Saturday, September 18, 2021
Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Opening ceremony: 10:00 at Camp William Penn Gate, 7322 Sycamore Ave., La Mott, 19027

  • Visit encampments: USCT and PA. 53 rd Infantry Re-enactors
  • Visit Camp William Penn Museum
  • Living History Demonstrations including ammunition making
  • Civil War Medical and Surgical instrument ‘show and tell’
  • Book signings, Lectures, Period Music, Films
  • La Mott History display
  • Civil War baseball as demonstrated by the E.P. 6 th graders
  • Local history organizations with tabletop displays and information

Closing ceremony: 3:45 at Flagpole (corner Sycamore and Willow)

*Camp William Penn, located in what is now modern day La Mott, was the first and largest Federal training site for colored soldiers during the Civil War.
Note: Volunteers needed for help in all aspects of this event; some starting now and some the day of the event. Ideas and suggestions are also welcome. If you are able to help or participate, please use contact information below.

Citizens for the Restoration of Historical La Mott
Email: pt@usct.org
1618 Willow Avenue
Telephone: (215) 885-2258 La Mott, PA 19027

February Event, 2021

We Fight for Our Rights, Liberty, Justice and Union: The Battle of New Market Heights

On September 29, 1864, the soldiers of United States Colored Troops 3rd Division, XVIII Corps, Army of the James, stepped off to do battle and stepped into history. During this engagement 14 African American soldiers and two white officers performed heroic acts that earned the Medal of Honor. This presentation will provide both an overview of the battle and share stories of some of the soldiers who fought there.

Presented by Tim Talbott. Tim is the Director of Education, Interpretation, Visitor Services and Collections at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Virginia. He is President of the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association. He maintains the Random Thoughts on History blog and has published articles in both book and scholarly journal formats.

Dr. James Paradis will discuss a recent memorial gift given to the Camp William Penn Museum which relates to one of the 6th regiment USCT soldiers.

  • When: Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 3:00 PM

This is a free Zoom event.

To reserve a virtual seat for this event, send an email to pt@usct.org and you will be sent a link with a password within 24 hours of the presentation, giving you access. We look forward to having you join us. For information call 215-885-2258.

This program is funded in part by the Jenkinstown Lyceum.