William Richardson
As a young preservation professional I have great interest in archives, cultural heritage preservation, digitization, and cultural diplomacy matters.
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Photo credit: William Richardson, 2024. This Structure (Right) is called the African House, Melrose Plantation, Louisiana
This exhibition seeks to illuminate the deeply interconnected history of the transatlantic slave trade by linking key sites across Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. Through immersive installations and historical narratives, it examines how these locations—Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, Seville Heritage Park in Jamaica, and Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston—form a larger, global story of forced migration, resistance, and enduring cultural memory. By recreating elements such as the “Door of No Return,” a symbolic water basin, and visual representations of the ship’s hold, the exhibition invites visitors to confront the realities of this history while reflecting on its lasting impact.
At its core, this project is about preservation and reconnection—bridging historical sites with descendant communities to foster global awareness and collective remembrance. By highlighting the importance of these sites as living heritage, the exhibition encourages dialogue on how the past informs present struggles for justice and identity. Through storytelling, visual mapping, and sensory engagement, it underscores the need for continued preservation efforts and the role of heritage in shaping our understanding of history, resilience, and shared humanity.