WHAT IS IT?
Project Gangee is a groundbreaking initiative commemorating the historic rescue of 135 enslaved Africans by the USS Ganges, and their arrival and ultimate freedom in Philadelphia.
This extraordinary event, known as the ‘Ganges Incident,’ exemplifies the spirit of freedom and equality that characterized Philadelphia, a city that played a pivotal role in shaping the founding principles of America. Project Gangee - Philadelphia reimagines the meaning of the words in the Declaration of Independence “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” and celebrates Philadelphia’s pivotal role in the nation's founding by exemplifying these ideals.
The inspiration for Project Gangee - Philadelphia is Philadelphia born artist Rah Crawford’s screenplay “Gangee — A Love Story.” This fictional narrative that precedes the actual historical events, immerses audiences in the journey of a young couple as they fight for love and freedom. Their families’ harrowing ordeal, betrayal, and ultimate rescue by the USS Ganges serve as a dramatic backdrop to the project. Using visual arts, music, storytelling, dramatic readings, exhibits, lectures, and panels, Project Gangee - Philadelphia will attract new and diverse audiences of all ages to a historic moment when Philadelphia exemplified the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for all.
why it’s important
Project Gangee – Philadelphia is a powerful embodiment of the Declaration of Independence's ideals. Through the arts, it brings to life a pivotal moment in Philadelphia's history – a time when freedom and liberty were championed by an engaged community. The Project’s collaborative effort unites diverse arts and cultural institutions, serving as a living testament to Philadelphia's legacy as a 'city of brotherly love' and offers a relevant message for today's world.
Project Gangee – Philadelphia unfolds around a diverse cast of historical figures, including abolitionists, Quakers, ordinary citizens, and even the USS Ganges, a warship that played a crucial role in rescuing the Ganges Africans. Today, a passionate community of arts and cultural institutions, artists, historians, and community organizations in Philadelphia are uniting to commemorate the extraordinary story of the ‘Ganges Incident’ in 2026, as part of the city's Semiquincentennial celebration.
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