International African American Museum Will Open Exhibit

The They Lived exhibit debuts in Charleston on October 16, 2026, featuring historic daguerreotypes of seven enslaved people.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in African-American

International African American Museum Will Open Exhibit

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Should museums recontextualize historical archives to better honor the individuals documented in them?

The International African American Museum will open its new exhibit, They Lived, on October 16, 2026. This display honors the humanity of seven enslaved individuals through the rare 1850 Daguerreotypes Collection.

Why it matters

The exhibit aims to transform a historical archive of exploitation into a meaningful space for remembrance. It centers the identities of the enslaved people depicted in the photographs to ensure their stories are recognized.

The exhibit features the 1850 Daguerreotypes Collection, which includes photos of Alfred, Delia, Drana, Fassena, Jack, Jem, and Renty. These images mark 175 years since they were first commissioned by Louis Agassiz.

The players

International African American Museum

This institution is dedicated to telling the story of the African American experience and is located on the site of Gadsden's Wharf.

Louis Agassiz

He was a 19th-century naturalist who commissioned the daguerreotypes of enslaved people for his research.

The details

Located at Gadsden's Wharf in Charleston, the exhibit displays reproductions of the photographs after providing necessary historical context. The museum will also host a symposium featuring descendants of the seven individuals.

1850: The daguerreotypes of seven enslaved people were originally commissioned in South Carolina.
October 16, 2026: The They Lived exhibit opens alongside the Culture Awards reception.
October 17, 2026: The museum hosts the Homecoming on the Yard community celebration.

Culture Shift

The exhibit reflects a broader societal move toward reclaiming the narratives of enslaved individuals from historical archives. This shift replaces long-standing anonymity with intentional efforts to document and celebrate the specific lives of those held in bondage.

Charleston residents and visitors can participate in the two-day IAAM Homecoming celebration, which includes food, shopping, and live entertainment. The exhibit offers the public an opportunity to engage directly with local history through the symposium and archival display.

The takeaway

Visitors are encouraged to participate in the museum symposium to hear insights directly from the descendants of the historical figures. By engaging with these primary historical materials, attendees can better understand the legacy of the people depicted in the 1850 collection.