'Echoes of the Underground Railroad' opens at OHIO Eastern for Black History Month

The Ohio University Eastern Art Gallery is proud to present "Echoes of the Underground Railroad," a compelling Black History Month exhibition that invites the campus and community to reflect on courage, resilience and the enduring pursuit of freedom.

On display now through Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, the exhibit brings together artwork and historical artifacts on loan from the Ohio Valley Underground Railroad Museum. An opening reception will be held Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., offering visitors an opportunity to engage more deeply with the stories and themes represented.

Through carefully curated visual works and preserved objects gathered over decades by the late Dr. John Mattox, the exhibit reflects a legacy of preservation rooted in community storytelling. The pieces on display at OHIO Eastern offer a meaningful glimpse into the much larger and immersive collection housed at the museum in Flushing, Ohio, where more than 8,000 artifacts document the lived experiences of the 19th century and the Ohio Valley’s critical role in the Underground Railroad.

For students and visitors alike, the exhibit serves as a reminder that the Underground Railroad was not a distant or abstract movement, but a lived experience rooted in this region. Its legacy continues to shape conversations about justice, community responsibility and human dignity today.

“This exhibit creates a meaningful opportunity for reflection and learning,” said Ohio University Eastern Interim Dean of Campus and Community Relations Richard W. Greenlee. “By hosting 'Echoes of the Underground Railroad,' we honor the strength of those who came before us while encouraging our students and community to consider how those lessons of courage and compassion still resonate in our world.”

Museum Director Kristina Estle shared that the exhibition is designed to connect visitors to the people behind local history.

“The Ohio Valley played a critical role in the Underground Railroad, and these artifacts allow us to tell that story through human experience rather than dates and statistics,” she said.

The OHIO Eastern Art Gallery is open during varied hours throughout the week and by appointment. Those interested in visiting the gallery are encouraged to contact the Dean’s Office at 740.699.2494 for additional information or to schedule a visit.

Founded in 1993 by Dr. Mattox and his wife, Rosalind, the museum was created with the belief that history should invite questions, personal reflection and connection rather than distance. That philosophy carries forward in "Echoes of the Underground Railroad," encouraging visitors to see the past not as a series of dates and events, but as human stories shaped by courage, compassion and community. Through this exhibit, OHIO Eastern offers a space to reflect on a shared history and consider how its lessons continue to guide conversations about justice, understanding and responsibility today.