Harvard Transfers Historic Enslaved People's Photos to South Carolina Museum

Wed Oct 01 2025 03:52:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Harvard University has agreed to transfer historic photographs of enslaved individuals to a newly established black history museum, concluding a lengthy legal dispute.

In a significant victory for Tamara Lanier, a Connecticut author claiming descent from individuals portrayed in the 1850 daguerreotypes, Harvard will donate these images to the International African American Museum in South Carolina. This move has emerged from a prolonged legal battle regarding the rightful ownership of the photos, discovered in Harvard's Peabody Museum in 1976. The images are not only the earliest of their kind in the U.S. but also spotlight the troubling legacy of racism associated with their creation by Harvard zoologist Louis Agassiz.

The transfer solidifies a commitment to address historical wrongs, as the museum aims to provide context and foster understanding around the images. Lanier expressed her emotional relief and excitement over the decision, emphasizing the cultural importance of returning the images to their historical roots.

In 2019, Lanier's lawsuit highlighted the ethical implications of acquiring consent for the photographs, leading to a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling that acknowledged Harvard's “complicity” in the injustices surrounding these images. The museum’s leadership is preparing to present the daguerreotypes with sensitivity to the traumatic histories they represent, setting the stage for meaningful conversations about race and heritage.

Harvard's official statement underscored its intent to increase accessibility to these images while acknowledging the complex nature of ownership claims. The transfer initiative mirrors broader discussions on how educational institutions grapple with their historical connections to slavery, revealing a path towards reconciliation and understanding.

This momentous decision by Harvard marks a significant step in recognizing and addressing past wrongs while providing hope for future dialogue and education regarding the legacy of slavery in America.