On March 21, 2026, Whitney Plantation and The Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies at the University of New Orleans will open a major new exhibit, .
This exhibit explores the lives of enslaved and indigenous people who resisted their bondage in ways that ranged from bold to everyday actions. From truancy and sabotage to culture-keeping and community-building, resistance took many forms. Drawing on historical records, oral histories, material artifacts, the latest historical scholarship and additional research by students at UNO and Cornell, Amongst Ourselves reclaims the agency of enslaved people and their lived experience.
"This exhibit is rooted in the reality that resistance was not the exception but the norm among the enslaved," said Dr. Ashley Rogers, Executive Director of Whitney Plantation. "It is an honor to present this work alongside UNO and to share the labor of the students who helped bring it to life."
The exhibit was created jointly by Whitney Plantation and the Midlo Center at UNO, with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Freedom on the Move, a digital database of fugitivity housed at Cornell University, is also featured in the exhibit.
"Amongst Ourselves is a visual narrative that invites people of all ages to rethink what they know about slavery and enslaved people and how they endured. This project reflects what can happen when scholars, public historians and artists work together," said Mary Niall Mitchell, director of the Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies and a UNO history professor. "University students, a skilled illustrator and a designer all came together to highlight the creativity and strength of the people who endured slavery."
Amongst Ourselves opens to the public on March 21, 2026, at Whitney Plantation. Media are invited to cover this exhibit by reaching out to Whitney Plantation to request a visit. Outlets and reporters may also find logos, graphics, and other materials here. For more information, visit .
Located in Wallace, Louisiana, Whitney Plantation is the only plantation museum in Louisiana dedicated to telling the history of slavery from the enslaved perspective. Through immersive exhibits, historic site preservation, and educational programs, Whitney Plantation strives to foster a deeper understanding of the legacy of slavery and its lasting impact on American society. Find Whitney on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and learn more at .
University of New Orleans Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies promotes understanding of the city’s history and culture with an emphasis on civil rights. The Midlo Center supports new scholarship on New Orleans and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and community partnerships that promote public engagement, support the cultural life of the city, and significantly advance the public humanities at UNO.
