The Library Company of Philadelphia’s Fireside Chat with Crystal Lynn Webster, author of Beyond the Boundaries of Childhood: African American Children in the Antebellum North

Last week, The Library Company of Philadelphia hosted a Fireside Chat with Crystal Lynn Webster, author of Beyond the Boundaries of Childhood: African American Children in the Antebellum North. Drawing evidence from the urban centers of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, Crystal Webster’s innovative research yields a powerful new history of African American childhood before the Civil War. Watch below as Crystal discusses the research covered in her book and answers some questions from viewers. Beyond the Boundaries of Childhood was also featured in part one of our JuneTeenth recommended reading list.



Crystal Lynn Webster is assistant professor of history at The University of Texas, San Antonio.