Penn&Slavery

Functionality & Mechanism Developed by the Penn and Slavery Project at the University of Pennsylvania, this application delivers pedagogical content through an augmented reality (AR) interface. The system guides participants through a six-stop tour exploring the university's historical connections to slavery, with each stop leveraging AR to superimpose historical narratives and animated exhibits onto specific campus locations. The design facilitates engagement both on-site and remotely, ensuring all content and AR experiences are accessible independent of the user's physical location.

Evidence & Research Context

• The application is based on historical research from the Penn and Slavery Project, which concluded the university was financially and academically reliant on the institution of slavery, challenging prior institutional statements.
• Associated research documents that approximately 15% of the university's early wealth was derived from fundraising trips to collect donations from slave-owning planters in Jamaica and South Carolina.
• The project's findings detail the use of bodies of African descent for medical instruction and the promotion of scientific racism, notably through the craniological work of Samuel Morton.
• The AR interface is described in the research as a "digital addition" or "interruption" designed to publicly superimpose these historical findings onto the university's physical campus narrative.

Intended Use & Scope The application is designed as a pedagogical tool for educators, students, researchers, and the general public. Its primary utility is to provide a curated, place-based educational experience visualizing specific historical research findings. The tool presents a focused narrative and does not serve as a comprehensive historical archive or primary source repository. Users should consult the project's broader publications for in-depth analysis.