Выставка в Балтиморе раскрывает роль чернокожих жителей Мэриленда в формировании истории США

Reginald F. Lewis Museum exhibit explores Black Marylanders' role in shaping American history A new exhibit at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore is showcasing how Black Marylanders have helped shape American history over the past 250 years. Ricky Parker, a curator at the museum, explained how the "The Lines We Cross: 250 Years of Maryland Forging America" exhibit is a way to reflect on America's 250th anniversary. "We waited past the celebration and everything that was going on in D.C. because we felt like this isn't a celebratory moment, but this is really a moment to have a real conversation about what America's 250 really means for Black Marylanders," Parker told WBAL-TV 11 News. The exhibit, open through fall 2027, spans three floors, each with a distinct theme. The first floor focuses on abolition, resistance and Black Marylanders on the battlefield, covering events from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Artifacts include the Blackwell family quilt, which traces a family tree through slavery and beyond. The second floor highlights artisans and skilled workers, particularly Black Marylanders who worked at Bethlehem Steel. "We really wanted to talk about the story of what was Bethlehem Steel," Parker told WBAL-TV 11 News. "What did it really mean to Black Marylanders? When you think about this idea of having a really good job in skilled labor, but also telling the other side of it where a lot of jobs that Black Marylanders had were some of the most dangerous and unsafe jobs at Bethlehem Steel or Sparrows Point Shipyard." The artisan part of the exhibit also includes the story of Howard K. Rollins, who worked at Bethlehem Steel and advocated for safety and equality. The third floor explores artistic expression, featuring music legends, like Billie Holiday. "This is Billie Holiday's blond piano," said Parker, pointing out the artifact. "We actually have it as part of our collection, and we felt like it was very fitting to highlight it in the exhibit." The section on artistic expression also focuses on the role of institutions like the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Royal Theater in shaping art and culture in Baltimore. By the end of the exhibit, museum leaders hope visitors will gain a deeper understanding of how Black Marylanders have shaped the American story. "At the end of the day, African American history is American history, so they are not disjointed, it's all connected. Our goal overall is to help connect the dots for everybody," Parker told WBAL-TV 11 News. The exhibit also includes an interactive section where visitors can write how they carry freedom forward, select a leaf that matches their generation and place it on a tree.