L6:3 Extra - Emelie Davis' Diaries

Emelie Davis was a student at the Institute for Colored Youth in the 1860s. Emelie wrote these diaries during the Civil War.

For those who want to move into primary sources, visit this beautiful digital project by Dr. Judith Giesberg and the team at Villanova. Emelie wrote these diaries when she was a student as the Institute for Colored Youth during the Civil War.

Notes from a Colored Girl, Karsonya White Whitehead’s phenomenal research into Emelie Davis’ diaries, are another great way to feel what day-to-day life was like in the Philadelphia Black Metropolis.

If you're in Philadelphia, follow this read up with a visit to see the actual diaries at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

And check out this beautiful digital project by Dr. Judith Giesberg and the team at Villanova.

Here’s author Karsonya Wise Whitehead describing daily life for Emelie Davis in Philadelphia during the 1860s.