Looking Back to the Future: Realizing the “Afric-American Picture Gallery”

Almost Unknown, The Afric-American Picture Gallery brings to life William J. Wilson’s 1859 fantastical essay, exploring various methodological approaches to narrate this seemingly esoteric aspect of African American history and literature. At this symposium, we will “look back to the future” to demonstrate how this narrative can be integrated into broader American history and how it connects to the legacy of Henry Francis du Pont and the history of Winterthur. These inquiries are designed to engage a diverse audience, including educators on the college and secondary levels, museum professionals, experts, and enthusiasts of African American history and the wider community.