HSPV-710: Paul Robeson House

Students in ProfessorsPamela Hawkes’and Brent Legg’s studio created a Preservation Plan for the Paul Robeson House and Museum, located at 4951 Walnut Street in West Philadelphia. The twin rowhouses at 4951 and 4949 Walnut Street are significant in their historical connection to Paul Robeson and the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Paul Robeson, the larger-than-life baritone, actor, athlete, and civil rights activist spent his last years living with his sister Marian Forsythe in her home at4951 Walnut Street. As the only one of Robeson’s residences that is open to the public, 4951 Walnut Street provides a unique look into the life of this influential figure.

Paul Leroy Robeson was one of the most important men in the twentieth century for his achievements in both the arts and activism for civil rights. Robeson’s accomplishments throughout his life were exceptional. From sports, to law, to acting and singing, and ultimately to activism, he left a thundering legacy.

Inspired by Paul Robeson’s legacy, Frances P. Aulston founded the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (WPCA) in 1984 and purchased 4951 and 4949 Walnut Street in 1994 and 1995, respectively. The WPCA seeks to capture Robeson’s spirit and his life’s work by making the rowhouses a place where art and activism come together to inspire the community. The Paul Robeson House is not simply a house museum, but a safe place for Black voices to be heard and make change.