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Museum Exhibit: The Age of Emancipation

Two woman looking through 3D glasses at museum exhibit was entitled Enacting Freedom: Black Virginians in the Age of Emancipation.
Two woman at museum exhibit was entitled Enacting Freedom: Black Virginians in the Age of Emancipation.

How did African Americans define freedom during the Civil War era and beyond? A group of Virginia Tech students from the VCCWS and the department of history designed an exhibit that was on public display at the American Civil War Museum – Appomattox in 2019 and 2020.

The exhibit was entitled Enacting Freedom: Black Virginians in the Age of Emancipation. Students used newspapers, Freedmen’s Bureau records, the census, period artifacts, and more to explore the many ways former slaves made freedom meaningful in their lives.

For more information, check out the coverage in the VT News and the News & Advance.

 

Planning and Research

PlanningIn the MuseumResearch

 

Construction

John constructingConstruction crewPaul puts up exhibit title

Premiere

Caitlin and Courtney 3DVisitors in front of titlePaul talks with visitor

Exploring the exhibitTour enters the exhibitStaff member discussing the exhibit

 

Exhibit Group