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The public is invited to an exhibit of rare photographs from turn-of-the-century Wilcox County at the Camden Shoe Shop and Quilt Museum from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. The exhibit, entitled Say Their Names: Honoring Our Ancestors in Wilcox County, features over 75 high-quality black and white photographs of African American sharecroppers on the former Rosemary Plantation in Wilcox County in the early 1900s.

“I’m excited to share these exceptional photographs with our community, as we celebrate Black History month and explore the history of African American life in Wilcox County,” said Betty Anderson, the Director of the museum which features artifacts, photos, books, quilts and other items that portray the creative, distinguished and hard working lives of Black people in Wilcox County’s past. “It’s an honor to host this beautiful exhibit here,” she added.

The photographs in Say Their Names are powerful portrayals of how African American men, women, and children shaped Wilcox County history and culture after emancipation, with the civil rights movement on the horizon. Found in an archive at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, the photos were unnamed and their location unknown.

Finding this collection, Professors Dr. Camille Owens (McGill University) and Dr. Virginia Thomas (Providence College) did extensive research and landed at the Camden museum last fall to confirm that these photographs were taken in the Wilcox County area. They have also confirmed that these photographs were taken by local photographer, Edith Morgan.

The Say Their Names exhibit invites the community to look into the past through the lens of a photographer in rural Wilcox County 125 years ago.  Say Their Names recognizes the individuals in the photographs as history-makers through their choice of gesture, stance, expression, clothing and also their homes, possessions and even whether they look toward or away from the camera.

Visitors will be invited to have their own portraits taken in the unique museum setting. It is hoped that some visitors will be able to identify the men, women and children in the photos.

Say Their Names will be on view at the Camden Shoe Shop and Quilt Museum in downtown Camden from February 28th to September 1st, 2025. Join us for a chance to celebrate those who came before us and envision how we can shape history as we go forward. Refreshments will be served. The museum is located at 222 Planters Street.

Funding for this exhibit is made possible by the Alabama Humanities Alliance, Providence College, McGill University. The exhibit is also supported by of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.