The story of America is the story of the struggle to expand human freedom.
The Exhibit NAME HERE and The Lab will open to the public in 2026.
Exhibit
Visitors to the Shockoe Institute’s museum-like experience will learn about the origins and growth of racial slavery in America, Richmond’s pivotal role in the trade of enslaved people within the United States, and how racial slavery touched virtually every aspect of American life before the Civil War. Explore More >
Interactive Lab
Visitors will have the opportunity to continue their learning journey in the Institute’s designed Lab using interactive tools and other resources. The Lab will also provide the opportunity for visitors to reflect on what they’ve learned in the exhibition through informal discussion and interaction, as well as through curated experiences.
Here’s what’s happening now.
SHOCKOE INSTITUTE PRESENTS
Visitors are invited to engage with historians, educators, policymakers, and creatives of all types to explore the enduring impact of racial slavery on modern American life through events, performances, and unique, thought-provoking experiences.