African-American porter on platform, Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, PA, c. 1940

African-American porter on platform, Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, PA, c. 1940

Pennsylvania Railroad, Broad Street Station

African-American porters made their living as uniformed train workers, carrying the luggage of first-class passengers who traveled on Pullman rail cars. This steady work facilitated upward social mobility for thousands of African Americans. Perhaps, the opportunity benefited the photographed man who worked at Broad Street Station.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

WCU HIS 601/ HON 452 Great Migration and Digital Storytelling

c. 1940

Amanda Tuttle and Kristen Waltz, Dante Silicato

HSP: of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania

JPG

Still Image

Photo