MUNCIE, Ind. — Hidden history is being brought to light at Ivy Tech Community College through the "Journey to Freedom" exhibit, offering visitors an immersive look into the Underground Railroad and the struggle for freedom. With contributions from Ball State University students and faculty, the exhibit aims to make history more accessible and impactful.
The exhibit showcases African American history in the U.S., with a special emphasis on the Underground Railroad in Indiana. Standing nearly seven feet tall, 15 towering posters visually guide visitors through centuries of history. Photographs align with their respective eras, while literature, files, documents and autobiographies provide a deeper, personal perspective.
Ball State University students played a significant role in bringing the exhibit to life, contributing research, design and educational materials. Professor Beth Messner, who helped facilitate the immersive learning project, said the exhibit evolved beyond its original focus.
"The brief provided to the students was to create a mobile public history exhibit centered on the Underground Railroad in Indiana. But once they started developing their vision, they realized this was about a moment in a larger chronicle of Black history in the U.S.," said Messner. "We can’t tell that story without talking about what came before and what came after."
Graduate student Madison Marshall emphasized the importance of sharing lesser-known narratives and fostering discussion.
"We wanted to highlight stories that many people may not have heard before. Our goal was for visitors to walk away with questions, comments and conversations to carry forward," said Marshall.
One of the exhibit’s standout features includes video interviews with descendants of individuals involved in the Underground Railroad. Messner noted that this element helps bridge the past with the present, making history feel more tangible and relevant.
"These aren’t just stories from the past—they’ve shaped the people who came after," said Messner. "Hearing directly from descendants makes history feel more immediate and personal."
The exhibit will be displayed at the John and Janice Fisher Building at Ivy Tech from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Wednesday, Feb. 19. It will then move to the YWCA on Feb. 25, where it will remain until March 12. The event is free and open to the public.
Contact Demar Robinson with comments at demarcus.robinson@bsu.edu.
