Slavery and Freedom Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom is one of the exhibitions of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). NMAAHC is located on 14th Street and Northwest Constitution Street in the National Mall. This four-story museum opened on September 24, 2016, becoming the only national museum dedicated to recording the life, history and culture of African Americans. The Smithsonian Institution Museum is an architectural wonder with many interactive exhibits.[1]
The exhibition explores the complex story of slavery and freedom, which is the core of our country’s common history. The exhibition began in Africa and Europe in the 15th century, extended to the founding of the United States, and ended with national transformation during the civil war and reconstruction.. [2]
History and Collection
Through powerful objects and first-person accounts, visitors will encounter the contributions of free and enslaved African Americans to the establishment of the United States, and explore the economic and political legacy of establishing modern slavery. The exhibition emphasizes that American slavery and American freedom share a common history. The behavior of ordinary men and women who demand freedom has changed our country..[3]
As the core of the museum, this exhibition explores the complex story of slavery and freedom, which is the core of our national experience. Beginning in the 15th century, the transatlantic slave trade began. Through the Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation, this exhibition explored the economic and political legacy of slavery in all Americans using personal stories..
Priceless objects featured include:
- Harriett Tubman’s shawl and hymn book (c. 1876)
- Nat Turner’s bible (1830s)
- shackles used for an enslaved child
- a slave cabin from Edisto Island, S.C.
- a pocket copy of the Emancipation Proclamation read from by soldiers bringing news of freedom to the U.S. Colored Troops
- freedom papers (c. 1852) carried by a former slave, Joseph Trammell[4]
Visitor
A visitor wanted to show her daughter this museum and its history so that they could understand the history of black people. Because if she goes back to the fifth or sixth generation before becoming the offspring of a slave, she is very proud of it and she thinks her children should do the same, because there is nothing shameful.
“We talk about the harsh reality of slavery, but juxtaposed against the resistance and the resilience and the survival of a people,”. “But it is also the story of how African-Americans helped define this nation, shaped it physically, geographically, culturally, socially, politically and economically. We want people to see all that, and we want people to see the juxtaposition of profit and power against the human cost.”-Mary Elliot (Museum Specialist)
“The first time I saw that in storage, I just looked at it and had to turn away. The level of emotion on seeing that object is something I’m having a hard time explaining,”. “I only hope that people, when they see these objects, understand and feel some of the things that we did, because this is really documenting a past—our shared past—and it’s really the nation’s commitment to collecting, displaying and fully addressing this past. . . . I hope that people will continue to bring objects forward because it is important that we never lose sight of this history again.” -Bercaw (one of the museum’s staff)[5]
Reference
- ↑ Discover rich and essential African American history at this free Smithsonian museum on the National Mall. Washington. Retrieved January 26, 2021
- ↑ Slavery and Freedom.Nmaahc.si.edu. Retriever January 26, 2021
- ↑ Slavery and Freedom.Nmaahc.si.edu. Retriever January 26, 2021
- ↑ National Museum of African American History and Culture. September 24, 2016. Si.edu. Retrieved January 26, 2021
- ↑ Allison Keyes. At the New “Slavery and Freedom” Show, a Mother Finds an Empowering Message for Her Young Daughters. OCTOBER 14, 2016. SMITHSONIANMAG.COM. Retrieved January 26, 2021

