The story of America is the story
of the struggle to expand human
freedom.

The Shockoe Institute is a national organization dedicated to revealing the evolution of American racial slavery, its enduring impact, and using the lessons of that history to improve our civic life.

“IT MATTER FOR
PEOPLE’S
UNDERSTANDING.”

-GOV. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER

Proven Excellence

A world-class foundation for civic innovation.

The Shockoe Institute has already established the credibility, physical presence, and scholarly infrastructure needed to scale from a Richmond landmark to a national platform.

Mellon
Foundation
Milestone

Launched with a landmark investment from the Mellon Foundation, signaling world-class institutional credibility and fiscal responsibility.

Physical
Presence

(12,000+ sq. ft.)

Opened a 12,000+ sq. ft. flagship facility within the iconic Main Street Station, featuring the immersive Expanding Freedom exhibit.

The Lab &
Our Library

Established a dual-model system: A "Lab" for real-time civic action and a "Library" of world-class digital storytelling and primary source scholarship.