Two Ku Klux Klan robes covered mannequins at the Matheson History Museum.
Nearby, glass encased a receipt from the Alachua County Bills of Sale that read: “To Samuel W. Jones for the sale of enslaved woman Briah.”
The artifacts, among others, are on display during the exhibit, “The Long Road to Freedom: The Florida Black Heritage Trail,” which started today and runs through March 18.
Rebecca Fitzsimmons, a Matheson curator and archivist, said the exhibition showcases historical artifacts and discusses stories from the trail.
“In many ways, it’s a celebration of achievements and in many ways offers opportunities to remember tragic events,” said Fitzsimmons.
The exhibit features both national and local pieces, such as articles from The Ocala Evening Star.
“My hope is that people will start to ask questions and start to think about this history in relation to the past, present and future,” Fitzsimmons said.
Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney, a 22-year old UF master’s student in the museum studies program, said the exhibit will start conversations and help people come to terms with the past.
“If you don’t already know about it, you’re probably not ever going to hear about it, which is why I think this is important, because that’s something that shouldn’t be hidden,” Hof-Mahoney, a museum intern, said.
