Browse Exhibits (1 total)

This exhibit seeks to diachronically explore themes of spirituality and religious practice amongst African American communities of the American south, with a special interest in the state of South Carolina. What difference did the transition from slavery to freedom make in spiritual/religious observance? What significance did African spirituals have during slavery, reconstruction, and onwards? Through the analysis of primary sources collected in the 1930's, such as personal narratives documented by the Federal Writer's Project, and audio recordings courtesy of Southern Mosaic collection by John and Ruby Lomax; as well as images provided by Documenting the American South, a digital publishing initiative, with additional secondary sources provided by the Library of Congress, this exhibit will discuss the historical impact of Christianity on southern African American groups throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.