Virginia Museum Of History and Culture
UN/BOUND: FREE BLACK VIRGINIANS 1916–1865
Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619–1865 brings together artifacts and compelling stories from across Virginia to explore the lives of free Black Virginians. From the arrival of the first captive Africans in 1619 to the abolition of slavery in 1865, the exhibition reveals how these individuals claimed their freedom, built communities, and navigated a legal system that recognized them as free but not equal.
The design highlights the complex journey between slavery and freedom. Visitors enter through a central introduction featuring a backlit title and an immersive panoramic painting. From this hub, exhibition sections radiate outward, guiding visitors through the narrative while offering glimpses of what lies ahead. A rich, varied color palette distinguishes each section, while large-scale graphics and document enlargements provide immersive context and tactile visual texture, inviting visitors to engage deeply with the stories on display.
Un/Bound travel exhibition panels.