On April 9, 2026, The Shockoe Institute officially premiered its inaugural permanent exhibit, Expanding Freedom, within Richmond’s historic Main Street Station. Attendees from as far away as Miami and Chicago were on-hand as Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger and Richmond City Mayor Danny Avula marked the official opening by offering remarks and participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following the ribbon cutting, Governor Spanberger joined more than 60 Virginia high school students as they used digital interactive learning tools within the Institute’s Lab. The 10,000 square-foot immersive experience boldly confronts the history of American slavery and its enduring impact on the country’s economic and social life.
A Powerful New Space in Shockoe Bottom
Located in the heart of Shockoe Bottom—once the epicenter of the domestic slave trade in the Upper South —Expanding Freedom traces the evolution and enduring impact of racial slavery in America. After an interactive museum-like experience, visitors are invited into “The Lab,” a space designed to encourage participants to use the lessons of the past to solve current challenges.
Leadership Reflections on History and Progress
“We designed Expanding Freedom and the Lab as a place of learning, reflection, and, most importantly, action,” said Marland Buckner, Shockoe Institute president and CEO. “Our goal is to ‘put the lessons of our history to work’ by providing people, especially young people, opportunities to activate their citizenship by creating real-world solutions designed to improve our civic life.”
“As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, projects like this remind us that our progress as a Commonwealth and a nation depends on a clear-eyed understanding of our past,” said Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger. “As we work to build a stronger, brighter future, we must work to make sure our children and grandchildren learn the stories and sacrifices of all Virginians who have called the Commonwealth home.”
This landmark project was privately funded entirely by an $11 million grant from the Mellon Foundation and included no taxpayer dollars. It features immersive experiences that help transform this notorious location into a center for national dialogue.
“Resilient forward-looking cities must have the courage to honestly tell their stories, even when that legacy is complex and painful,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “This exhibit at Main Street Station provides a powerful space for our residents to reflect on where we have been and actively participate in creating a more equitable future for all Richmonders.”
The architecture and construction were led by nationally recognized firms Baskervill (Richmond, VA), and Team Henry Enterprises (Newport News, VA). The exhibition design was led by Local Projects (New York, NY) and the team at the Shockoe Institute with support from historians and other subject matter experts from the United States and abroad.
The Shockoe Institute invites the public to experience the Expanding Freedom exhibit during a special premiere starting on Sunday, April 12. Please visit www.shockoeinstitute.org/premiere-week to reserve timed entry tickets.
About the Shockoe Institute
The Shockoe Institute is a national organization headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, whose mission is to reveal the enduring impact of American racial slavery and to use the lessons of that history to improve our civic life. The Institute is an independent, nonprofit entity that will serve as a place for people to learn, reflect and act to create solutions designed to improve our civic life. Learn more at www.shockoeinstitute.org.
