“Lest We Forget” –Museum of Slavery, founded 2002 is home
to the private Ragsdale collection of slavery artifacts, Bill
of Sale documents and Jim Crow memorabilia owned by J. Justin
& Gwen Ragsdale. The exhibit includes authentic slave
shackles, chains, whips, branding irons and other items that were
used for human bondage and punishment. It also includes numerous
objects from the Jim Crow era that
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negatively depict Blacks. This compelling collection truly brings
history alive and provides a better understanding of the pain and
suffering endured by kidnapped Africans brought to America and
other parts of the world and held in bondage for hundreds of years.
The LWF extensive collection of slavery artifacts and other items
were acquired over the past 45 years by J. Justin Ragsdale. LWF
Museum is the only museum in Philadelphia, PA with authentic
slavery artifacts that include: shackles, branding irons and other
forms of punishing ironware from the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Their collection also includes numerous genuine documents that
promoted the buying and selling of enslaved Africans. These rare
collectibles bring history to life. Together we provide moving
presentations and use items in the collection to demonstrate what
it was truly like to “Be a Slave”. Mr. Ragsdale’s vast
experience has made him a renowned expert in authenticating slavery
artifacts, documents and the like. Both collectors and sellers
constantly call upon him for his knowledge. During presentations he
uses several of his extraordinary collectibles to demonstrate and
explain what it was truly like to “Be a Slave”. Gwen uses her
skills to deliver compelling presentations that
she inter-weaves with historic accounts and actual slave
narratives. She coordinates the museum tours, traveling exhibits
and researches and writes the contextual descriptive panels
displayed throughout the collection. Together, the Ragsdale’s shed
light on a dark and tragic period in American history and pays
tribute to the generations of slave ancestors who greatly
contributed to the building of America. Lest We Forget Slavery
Museum and LWF Traveling Exhibit(s) perfectly document how
differently coming to America was for enslaved Africans. The Lest
We Forget Museum of Slavery provides a unique historical
perspective into the reality of slavery for Africans brought to
America. It is the only museum of its kind in Philadelphia that
exhibits authentic slavery artifacts. LWFSM tears the scab of
mystery and shame off the subject of SLAVERY and shines light on
the enduring spirit of our African American ancestors and the
contributions they have made in the building of America. We also
continue to offer our well known Traveling Slavery Exhibit which we
present at schools, universities, conferences, places of worship
and local events. We are presently accepting requests for 2018
Black History programs. Contact us for more information. The Lest
We Forget Museum of Slavery provides a unique historical
perspective into the reality of slavery for Africans brought to
America. It is the only museum of its kind in Philadelphia that
exhibits authentic slavery artifacts which include hundreds of
shackles, chains, coffles, branding irons and other forms of
punishing ironware. Authentic documents show how enslaved Africans
were bought and sold as chattel. Numerous “Jim Crow” objects which
negatively depicted and ridiculed African Americans, creating a
lasting racist attitude, are also on display. Incredible
African works of art – sculpture, oil paintings and vintage
photographs line the walls of the museum. Descriptive contextual
panels are posted throughout to assist visitors in understanding
the significance of this period in American history. We are
accepting tours at our new 5501 Germantown Avenue location.
