Starting January 4, 2023, experience one of the most powerful and important exhibitions GulfQuest has ever displayed. Spirits of the Passage: The Story of the Transatlantic Slave Trade explores the power of the human spirit through a display of nearly 150 historical objects covering more than 350 years.

It’s the first exhibition of its kind to examine the entire history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade from the 16th through the19th centuries, while also presenting the most up-to-date research and discoveries to the public: marine archaeological discoveries, new research on key African societies and an exploration of the slave trade’s modern-day legacies.

Spirits of the Passage allows guests to see authentic artifacts from the wreck of an actual slave ship as well as dozens of objects from West African societies that show the uniqueness of the individual cultures they represent. These include religious objects, bronze and beadwork, pottery and jewelry. These compelling artifacts, maps, paintings and illustrations create a provocative picture of a tragic era while recognizing the legacy of strength and resilience that enslaved people left behind.   

Objects for the exhibition are on loan from the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and this traveling exhibition is possible through a collaboration between the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida, and the Frazier Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.

HOURS: Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADMISSION: Adults $10; Youth (5-17) $6, under 5 years old FREE and $8 for Senior adults, active military, and college students. Tickets to GulfQuest may be purchased in advance at: https://www.gulfquestmuseum.com/visit/online-tickets.  

Spirits of the Passage: The Story of the Transatlantic Slave Trade at GulfQuest is sponsored by the Mobile County Commission. This traveling educational and inspirational exhibit is relevant to time and place: 2023 is the 160^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and because remains of The Clotilda, the last ship known to have brought slaves to the U.S., were recently discovered nearby in the Mobile River Delta.  

Watch this calendar for information on educational monthly GulfChats (speaker events) at GulfQuest the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.  Topics January through June will align with the Spirits of the Passage: The Story of the Transatlantic Slave Trade exhibit. 

More info? Call 251-436-8901 or visit www.gulfquestmuseum.com.