Today, students learned about abolition in their morning classes, examining Frederick Douglass’s “Fifth of July Speech” and Frances Harper’s “Bury Me in a Free Land.” After a quick lunch, we headed on the bus to Harrisburg to visit the Pennsylvania capital. After being wowed by the dome, we sat down for a discussion with an assistant for one of the state’s senators.

A group of students standing on a marble staircase

Welcome to the Capitol!

In the Q&A session, we all discussed the importance of local government, what the day-to-day looks like while working in the capital, and the complexities of compromise. Afterwards, we went on a tour of the entire building, seeing the Senate chamber, House of Representatives chamber, and the Supreme Courtroom.

A girl sitting in a gilded room

Examining the architecture.

Before heading home, we stopped at A Gathering at the Crossroads, a memorial that highlights African American history in Harrisburg. It contains statues of Thomas Morris Chester, Jacob C. Compton, William Howard Day, and Frances Harper. After dinner, the students started to brainstorm for their essays and relaxed by watching a movie. 

A group of students standing at a monument with four statues

Visiting A Gathering at the Crossroads