TRAVELING EXHIBITION
THROUGH DARKNESS TO LIGHT: PHOTOGRAPHS ALONG THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Since January of 2017, a traveling exhibition of Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad has been traveling to various venues throughout the United States. Due to popularity, it has been extended through March 2032. The exhibition is organized by ExhibitsUSA, the traveling program of Mid-America Arts Alliance and funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. For exhibition details, availability, or to book the show, please click here.

SEPTEMBER 1 - OCTOBER 20, 2024 at the Ypsilanti District Library - Whittaker Branch. Address: 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti, Michigan. Phone: 734.482.4110. Hours are Mon. - Thurs. 9am to 9pm, Fri. and Sat. 10am to 6pm and Sun. from 1pm to 5pm.

Star navigations, a Harriet Tubman reenactment, a performance by award-winning folk singer Reggie Harris, and more insightful and artistic programs are offered free of charge to the community during the exhibition.

For more details on the programming click to visit the Events Page or view the Events Brochure.

“Michigan has over 20 sites highlighting the people and places that were part of the Underground Railroad, including several here in Washtenaw County”
— Julianne Smith - YDL Assistant Director

Additional Upcoming Venues and Dates:

Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art
Scranton, PA, Nov. 10, 2024 - Jan. 7, 2025
Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts
Florence, AL, Jan. 28 - Mar. 16, 2025
Kansas African American Museum
Wichita, KS, Jun. 16 - Aug. 11, 2025 (pending)
Irving Archives and Museum
Irving, TX, Sept. 1 - Jan. 7, 2026
The National Willa Cather Center
Red Cloud, NE, Jan. 28 - Mar. 16, 2026
Watkins Museum of History
Lawrence, KS, Apr. 6 - May 25, 2026
Reading Public Museum
Reading, PA, Jun. 16 - Aug. 11, 2026
Allen County Museum
Allen, OH, Sept. 1 - Oct. 20, 2026
City of Fairfax
Fairfax, VA, Nov. 10, 2026 - Jan. 7, 2027 (pending)
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Jackson, MS, Jan. 28 - Mar. 16, 2027 (pending)
Nova Southeastern University
Davies, FL, Jan. 28 - Mar. 16, 2028 (pending)

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THROUGH 2032

Installation images from various venues are below.

PREVIOUS VENUES:

Evanston History Center and
Evanston Art Center
Evanston, IL
Jan. 28 - Mar. 16, 2017
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Fort Smith, AR
Apr. 7 - May 28, 2017
Griot Museum of Black History
St. Louis, MO
Jun. 23 - Aug. 11, 2017
Wyandotte County Historical Society & Museum
Bonner Springs, KS
Sept. 1 - Oct. 14, 2017
Ontario Museum of History and Art
Ontario, CA
Nov. 10, 2017 - Jan. 7, 2018
Texarkana Regional Arts Center
Texarkana, TX
Jan. 28 - Mar. 16, 2018
Panola College
Carthage, TX
Apr. 6 - May 25, 2018
Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center
Portsmouth, VA
Jun. 16 - Oct. 20, 2018
Alexandria Black History Museum
Alexandria, VA
Feb. 2 - Mar. 16, 2019
West Baton Rouge Museum
Port Allen, LA
Apr. 6 - May 25, 2019
Boone County Public Library
Burlington, KY
Jun. 16 - Aug. 11, 2019
Canton Museum of Art
Canton, OH
Sept. 1 - Oct. 20, 2019
Gorman Discovery Center
Kansas City, MO
Nov. 10 - Jan. 7, 2020
Upcountry History Museum
Greenville, SC
Feb. 15 - Aug. 9, 2020
Bell County Museum
Belton, TX
Sept. 1 - Oct. 20, 2020
Temecula Valley Museum
Temecula, CA
Jan. 28 - Mar. 16, 2021
Pink Palace Museums
Memphis, TN
Apr. 6 - Aug. 11, 2021
Martin-Lett Gallery of Art
Oxford Performing Arts Center
Oxford, AL
Sept. 1 - Oct. 20, 2021
Mennello Museum of American Art
Orlando, FL
Nov. 10, 2021 - Jan. 7, 2022
Windgate Gallery
University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR
Jan. 31 - Mar. 16, 2022
Kansas City Public Library
Kansas City, KS
Jun. 16 - Aug. 11, 2022
Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience
Meridian, MS
Sept. 1, 2022 - Jan. 7, 2023
Dunn Museum
Libertyville, IL
Jan. 28 - Mar. 19, 2023
Temecula Valley Museum
Temecula, CA
Apr. 6 - May 25, 2023
New Bedford Historical Society
New Bedford, MA
Sept. 1 - Oct. 20, 2023
Gettysburg Foundation
Gettysburg, PA
Nov. 10, 2023 - Jan. 7, 2024
St. Mary’s County Museums
Leonardtown, MD, Jan. 28 - Mar. 16, 2024
Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum
Sand Springs, OK, Apr. 1 - May 21, 2024
Tryon Palace
New Bern, NC, Jun. 16 - Aug. 11, 2024