What drew Philadelphians and a very newly formed United States to trade with China? The answers to this question left behind many connections to the Quaker shipping empires in the city and plenty of material culture to make the answer tangible. Explore this history through the lens of materials and timeline from Thomas Pym Cope.
The talk connects to the newest exhibit at the Independence Seaport Museum, Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade, and the Making of a Nation, which showcases some of these objects.
MICHAEL MADEJA is the Director of Education at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. In this role, Mike serves as the strategic and administrative lead for a department overseeing education programming, the historic ships, Seaport Boat Shop, on water programming, and various exhibition projects. Before joining the Independence Seaport Museum, Mike worked for and volunteered with various non-profits, including most recently serving as the Head of Education Programs at the American Philosophical Society's Library & Museum and as the Chair of the Education Committee (EdCom) for the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).