The From Slavery to Freedom:
The Story of How Harriet Jacobs Freed Herself
Honoring the Life & Legacy of Harriet Jacobs
This powerful, youth-led local history exhibit honored the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Harriet Jacobs—abolitionist, author, and the first Black woman in the United States to publish an autobiography chronicling her experiences under slavery.
The exhibit was created by the 2025 Civic Designers, a cohort hired through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program and hosted by the Cambridge Museum of History & Culture.
Over the course of a transformative six-week design studio, Civic Designers conducted historical research, participated in immersive site visits across Cambridge, and collaborated on design work to create an unforgettable public history experience. Guided by museum staff, city partners, and community experts in public history, storytelling, and archiving, the Civic Designers explored Jacobs’ remarkable journey—and connected her fight for freedom to contemporary movements for equity and justice.
.png)
Opening Reception at The Foundry in Kendall Square on August 13th 2025
Opening Reception at The Foundry in Kendall Square on August 13th 2025
The From Slavery to Freedom: The Story of How Harriet Jacobs Freed Herself exhibit is a collaborative effort between the Cambridge Museum of History & Culture, the Office of Mayor E. Denise Simmons, the Office of Workforce Development, the Cambridge Historical Commission, the Cambridge Public Library, Carpenters Union Local 328, The Foundry, and Cambridge Crossing. Thank you to our gracious partners, whose support has helped provide a platform for connection, education, and workforce development.
