Pennsylvania Hall, "one of the most commodious and splendid buildings in the city," was an abolitionist venue in Philadelphia, built in 1837–1838. It was a "Temple of Free Discussion," where antislavery, women's rights, and other reform lecturers could be heard. 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.
Building name and purpose Located at 109 N. 6th Street in Philadelphia, the site was "symbolically and strategically ideal." It was near where the United States was born, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were created. It was also in the middle of the Philadelphia Quaker community, so active in the beginnings of the abolition of slavery and in aiding fugitives.
Considering the organization that built it, the offices and stores located there, and the meetings held during the four days of its use, the new building was clearly intended to have an abolitionist focus. But to name it "Abolition Hall" would have been reckless and provocative. "Pennsylvania Hall" was a neutral alternative. "The Board of Managers took pains to make clear that the hall was not exclusively for the use of abolitionists. It was to be open on an equal basis for rental by any groups 'for any purpose not of an immoral character'."
Construction The Hall was built by the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society "because abolitionists had such a difficult time finding space for their meetings." The building was designed by architect Thomas Somerville Stewart; it was his first major building.
To finance construction a joint-stock company was created. Two thousand people bought $20 shares, raising over $40,000. Others donated material and labor.
In January 1838, Theodore Dwight Weld declined an offer to deliver "an address" upon the building's opening.
Description of the building On the ground floor were four stores or offices, which fronted on Sixth St. One was an abolitionist reading room and bookstore; another held the office of the Pennsylvania Freeman, John Greenleaf Whittier's newly reincarnated abolitionist newspaper. Another held the office of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, the building's manager, and the fourth was devoted to the sale of products grown or produced without slave labor (free produce).
The first floor also contained "a neat lecture room" seating between 200 and 300 persons, fronting on Haines Street. There were two committee rooms and three large entries and stairways wide leading to the second floor.
On the second floor there was a large auditorium, with three galleries, on the third floor, surrounding it, "seating all told perhaps as many as three thousand persons. The building was ventilated through the roof, so fresh air could be obtained without opening the windows. It was lighted with gas. The interior appointments were luxurious." Above the stage was a banner with Pennsylvania's motto, "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence."
In the basement, because of the weight of the press and type, was to be the press for the Society's abolitionist newspaper, the National Enquirer and General Register, which had been edited by Benjamin Lundy, but with the move Lundy's successor, John Greenleaf Whittier, took over as editor, and the name changed to Pennsylvania Freeman. However, the press had not yet been moved at the time of the fire, and thus escaped destruction.
Destruction of the building planned in advance The following is from a letter to the editor signed "J. A. G.," published in a New York newspaper on May 30:
The Mayor of Philadelphia had advance knowledge of an "organized band" prepared to disrupt the meeting and "perhaps do injury to the building":
Timeline Meetings were being held in the building before its formal opening on May 14.
Throughout the ceremonies, blacks and whites sat in the audience without separation, and except for those meetings specifically for women, men and women did as well. Such a heterogenous audience had never existed in Philadelphia before. In addition, women and blacks spoke to mixed audiences, which was for some a delight and for others a threat to social order.
Monday, May 14, 1838 10 AM: "The President [of the Association] will take the chair at 10 o'clock precisely. The Secretary will then read a short statement of the monies which induced the stockholders to erect the building, and the purposes for which it is to be used. Also several interesting letters from individuals at distance." Letters from philanthropist Gerrit Smith, abolitionist organizer Theodore Weld, who had been invited to address the meeting, and former president John Quincy Adams were read. Ohio Senator Thomas Morris was invited in January to speak at the dedication, but was unable to attend, and also sent a letter to be read. Adams' letter read, in part:I learnt with great satisfaction...that the Pennsylvania Hall Association have erected a large building in your city, wherein liberty and equality of civil rights can be freely discussed, and the evils of slavery fearlessly portrayed. ...I rejoice that, in the city of Philadelphia, the friends of free discussion have erected a Hall for its unrestrained exercise."After which, David Paul Brown of this city ["counsellor at law"] will deliver an Oration upon Liberty." "In the afternoon the Philadelphia Lyceum will meet at 3 o'clock, when an Essay upon the Lyceum system of Instruction, showing its advantages, mode of operation, &c., written by Victor Value, of Philadelphia, will be read. At 3 o'clock, James P. Espy, of Philad., will explain the cause of winds, clouds, storms, and other atmospheric phenomena. At 4 o'clock several interesting questions will be read and referred to different members of the Lyceum for solution at their meeting on Tuesday afternoon. This meeting will conclude with a discussion on the question—Which has the greater influence, Wealth or Knowledge?" The debate will be opened by two members of the Lyceum—after which any member or visitor may participate. The meeting will adjourn at 6 o'clock." The Lyceum, "so that it should not appear to be in any way connected with the benevolent institution known by the name of the Anti-Slavery Society," requested that the Pennsylvania Hall Association not publish the proceedings of their Monday and Tuesday afternoon meetings. "Evening meeting at 8 o'clock. Lecture upon Temperance, by Thomas P. Hunt, of South Carolina, preceded by a short address from Arnold Buffum, of Philadelphia, on the same subject." "[S]ome person in the vicinity threw a brickbat through the window and blind." In the evening, at the house of Ann R. Frost, the bride's sister, there took place "what was, among abolitionists at least, the wedding of the century," "an abolition wedding": Angelina Grimké married Theodore Dwight Weld. (See Wedding of Theodore Weld and Angelina Grimké.) The couple, who had met in an abolition training session, wrote their own marital vows. Present were William Lloyd Garrison, Lewis Tappan, Henry B. Stanton, Henry C. Wright, Maria Weston Chapman, James G. Birney, Abby Kelley, Sarah Mapps Douglass, the bride's sister Sarah Grimké, and two former slaves of the Grimké family, whose freedom Ann had purchased. The cake was made by a Black confectioner, using free-produce sugar. Both a Black and a White minister gave blessings; the Black one was Theodore S. Wright.
Tuesday, May 15 At 10 AM the first Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women held a preliminary meeting in "the session roon"; the Grimké sisters, Lucretia Mott, Maria Weston Chapman, Susan Paul, Sarah Mapps Douglass, Juliana Tappan, eldest daughter of philanthropist and abolition activist Lewis Tappan, and others from as far as Maine were in attendance. In the "Grand Saloon," Pennsylvania Representative Walter Forward, who was to have talked on "the right of Free Discussion," and Ohio Senator Thomas Morris did not appear as announced. James Burleigh read, at Whittier's request, a lengthy "poetical address" by John Greenleaf Whittier, who was present. Local abolitionist Lewis C. Gunn spoke at length extemporaneously, followed by Burleigh talking about Indian removal, and Alvin Stewart about the Seminoles. (May 23 was the deadline for the removal of Native Americans on the Trail of Tears from Florida, Georgia, and other Southern states to the future Oklahoma.) In response to audience requests, Garrison, "who had not been invited to speak in Philadelphia since 1835," rose to attack the speech of Brown (for not rejecting "colonization"), followed by Burleigh and Stewart, who criticized both Brown and colonization. "With no end to the debate in sight and the Lyceum members waiting to use the room," Samuel Webb announced that the debate, on abolitionism versus colonization, announced for the following week. would take place the next morning. The Lyceum met in the afternoon, considering "the history, present condition, and future prospects of the human mind," and "whether opposition or approbation from others provided greater proof of a man's merit." At 4 PM, again in the session room, the Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women set up a committee to prepare an agenda ("business"). The following day, they were to meet in Temperance Hall. "We herewith enclose a written piacard, numbers of which were posted up in various parts of the city, and, so far as we have seen, all appeared to be in the same hand writing."
Wednesday, May 16 The annual meeting of the Pennsylvania State Anti-Slavery Society "for the Eastern District" had been announced for 10 AM but it met instead at 8 AM, to allow a debate on abolition versus colonization to take place. They adjourned until 2 PM. In the Grand Saloon, a large crowd gathered to hear the debate on colonization versus abolitionism. No one showed up to make the case for colonization, so those for abolition proceeded to discuss "Slavery and its Remedy." About 50 to 60 people gathered outside, making occasional threats against the attendees. The group grew throughout the day, using increasingly abusive language. The building managers hired two watchmen to keep the peace. That evening, William Lloyd Garrison introduced Maria Weston Chapman to an audience of 3,000 abolitionists. The mob outside grew violent, smashing windows and breaking into the meeting. Despite the turmoil, Angelina Grimké Weld convinced the audience to stay with an hour-long speech. To protect their more vulnerable members, the group of whites and blacks left the gathering, whites and blacks arm-in-arm, through a hail of rocks and jeers.
Thursday, May 17 The Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women met again in the main room of the hall, having met in Temperance Hall on Wednesday. They "refused to comply with the Mayor's request to restrict the meeting to white women only." A Requited (paid, non-slave) Labor Convention, whose purpose was to create a National Requited Labor Association, met in a session room at 8 AM and in the Grand Saloon at 2 PM. (See Free-produce movement.)