Broken promises:
The Legacy of the Reconstruction Era
exhibition overview
Broken Promises asks a difficult question: What happens when a nation breaks its promises? This immersive gallery explores an often-overlooked chapter in American history—the Reconstruction Era—when the hope of freedom after the Civil War gave way to violence, voter suppression, and systemic injustice.
Through documented accounts and powerful storytelling, the exhibition reveals the recurring cycle of progress and backlash that has shaped our country. Visitors are invited to reflect on how the unfulfilled promises of Reconstruction continue to resonate in the ongoing struggles for justice and equality today.
Change begins with commitment.
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what you'll experience
- Multiple Narrators: Meet Ida B. Wells and three other journalists of the era as they explore the fragile promise of Reconstruction and the backlash that followed.
- Immersive Storytelling: Follow the unfolding story of Reconstruction and the forces that unraveled it.
- Systemic Injustice: Learn about oppressive systems, including voter suppression, racial violence, and economic exploitation.
- Historical Artifacts & Media: Experience objects and stories that bring to life both the aspirations and the betrayals of the era.
- Contemporary Connections: See how the legacies of Reconstruction continue to shape civic life in America today.
- Reflective Space: Engage in dialogue about what it means to repair broken promises in our own time.
- Mary Turner Memorial: Encounter artist Lonnie Holley’s interpretation of the defaced marker memorializing Mary Turner’s lynching, donated by her family to the Center.
dates + Location
On View: Opening December 2025
Location: 3rd Floor
Supported by: The Mellon Foundation