Meet Moses Williams

At the next monthly meeting for the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT), on February 11 at 7 pm, Faye Anderson will make a presentation, “Meet Moses Williams.” Born into slavery in the household of painter Charles Willson Peale, Moses Williams was the first Black museum professional and master silhouette artist whose story is buried in the archives. To raise awareness of Williams and his contribution to 19th century visual culture, Faye nominated Williams for a Pennsylvania historical marker. Williams’ marker will be dedicated in 2026, the 250th anniversary of his birth.

Faye will also provide an overview of the historical marker nomination process.

Faye Anderson is the director of All That Philly Jazz, a place-based public history project that is mapping Philadelphia’s lost jazz venues and landmarks and documenting the social history of jazz. Drawing on archival materials and oral histories, she uncovers hidden and forgotten stories. Faye leads walking tours about Billie Holiday, Green Book sites, and jazz history in Center City, North Philly, and West Philly.

Faye recently curated an exhibit on Black music from the 1770s to the 1970s for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. She also nominated jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan for a Pennsylvania historical marker. The marker was dedicated on International Jazz Day 2024. She successfully nominated Morgan’s masterpiece, The Sidewinder, for listing in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.

Faye is a graduate of Stanford University. She earned a Certificate in French Proficiency from Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Sénégal.

The meeting will be in-person at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks, 114 Market Street, upstairs, and livestreamed on Zoom. The Zoom link will be available in the APT Tour Talk newsletter the week of the meeting; non-members should contact Marianne Ruane [president@phillyguides.org](mailto:president@phillyguides.org) no later than 5 pm the day of the meeting to receive the link.
Credit: Silhouette of Moses Williams/The Library Company of Philadelphia