A.M.E. Book Concern
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Here in 1836 a church related company began printing hymnals, religious materials, and works by Black authors of the period. In 1847 The Christian Recorder was published here. Bishop Benjamin Tucker Tanner was editor of the firm until 1884.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Beginning in 1836, the A.M.E. Book Concern operated here as a publishing arm of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, printing hymnals, religious materials, and the work of Black authors at a time when few outlets would. In 1847 it launched The Christian Recorder, one of the oldest continuously published African American periodicals. Bishop Benjamin Tucker Tanner led the firm as editor until 1884.
Why it matters
As an early Black-owned publishing house, the A.M.E. Book Concern gave African Americans an independent voice in print, nurturing a Black literary and religious culture decades before emancipation was complete.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Hill-Physick House0.3 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Bridgette Mayer0.3 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial0.3 mi away
- Powel House0.3 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Congress Hall0.4 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Philosophical Hall0.4 mi away · PA
Attractions
- Second Bank of the United States0.4 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell0.4 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Carpenters' Hall0.4 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Italian market0.4 mi away · Christian Street
- First Bank of the United States0.5 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.5 mi away
Food & drink
- Talula's Garden0.2 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.2 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.3 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.3 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.3 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.3 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Morris House Hotel0.2 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.4 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.4 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Alexander Inn0.4 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.5 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philadelphia Marriott Old City0.5 mi away · 1 Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
Own a business near here? Add it to the map.
Related people
- · Benjamin Tucker Tanner
Related events
- · The Christian Recorder
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Robert Mara Adger (1837-1910)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1993
Robert Mara Adger came of age in a Philadelphia that was home to one of the nation's largest free Black communities, active in the antislavery and self-help movements before and after the Civil War. A businessman who helped lead a pioneering Black building-and-loan association, he was also a passionate bibliophile who gathered a major collection of rare books and pamphlets on Black life and the fight against slavery. He helped found an Afro-American historical society to preserve that record for future generations.
Robert Bogle (1774-1848)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1991
In 1813 Robert Bogle, a free Black Philadelphian, opened a fashionable eatery on this spot and built a reputation as the city's premier caterer. Famous for his savory meat pies, he became the sought-after master of ceremonies for the elaborate weddings, funerals, and banquets of Philadelphia's wealthy elite. In effect a pioneer of the American catering trade, he made a name and a living in a business he helped define.
Local 8, Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2025
Local 8 of the Industrial Workers of the World organized Philadelphia's waterfront dockworkers from 1913 to 1923, growing into one of the country's largest and most powerful unions. Under the leadership of Ben Fletcher, it stood out as a Black-led, multiracial local that deliberately united workers across ethnic and racial lines. It fought for better wages, safer conditions, and a solidarity that crossed the color line at a time when most unions did not.
Union Local 274, American Federation of Musicians
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1993
Chartered in 1935 after African-American musicians were shut out of Philadelphia's white musicians' union, Local 274 became a home and advocate for Black performers. Its rolls included giants of modern jazz such as John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie, whose innovations reshaped American music. When it dissolved in 1971, it was the last predominantly Black local of the American Federation of Musicians in the country.