Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence

As the companion to the exhibition, Fighting for Freedom places Black craftspeople at the forefront of American history, from before the Revolutionary War through the Civil War and beyond Reconstruction. Delving into diverse narratives of creativity, resilience, and triumph in the quest for freedom, this book underscores the evolution of freedom through the lens of material culture--by exploring how the very concept of freedom was shaped and redefined by enslaved and free craftspeople who relentlessly fought for their rights and the recognition of their humanity.

Featuring ten essays by leading historians, museum curators, and material culture scholars and more than seventy color photographs of Black artistry, including paintings, metalwork, woodwork, pottery, and furniture, this book vividly illustrates how Black men and women persistently sought tangible expressions of liberty which have endured as symbols of their creators' legacies in the ongoing struggle for freedom.

Contributors include Lauren Applebaum, Robell Awake, Lydia Blackmore, Aleia M. Brown, R. Ruthie Dibble, Philippe L. B. Halbert, Jennifer Van Horn, Alexandra Alevizatos Kirtley, and Susan J. Rawles.

Exhibition dates:
Daughters of the American Revolution Museum (Washington, DC): March 28, 2025-December 31, 2025
Gibbes Museum of Art (Charleston, SC): Summer 2026-Spring 2027
Historic New Orleans Collection (New Orleans, LA): Summer/Fall 2027
Tennessee State Museum (Nashville, TN): Winter/Spring 2028
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (Winchester, VA): Summer/Fall 2028

Author: Torren L. Gatson
Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
Published: 04/01/2025
Pages: 176
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.34lbs
Size: 11.26h x 8.74w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781469686257

About the Author
Torren L. Gatson is assistant professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Tiffany N. Momon is associate professor of history at Sewanee (The University of the South). William A. Strollo is curator of exhibitions at the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum.