A 54-mile march that helped reshape American democracy is the focus of a new photography exhibition opening this fall at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
“Witness to the Journey: Matt Herron and the Deep South, 1965” opens Sept. 4 in the downtown Cincinnati museum’s Skirball Gallery and runs through Nov. 8. The exhibition features 28 black-and-white photographs by the late Matt Herron documenting the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march, which helped lead to the passage of that year’s historic Voting Rights Act.
The images in the exhibit trace the five-day march through the people who took part, from ordinary citizens to civil rights activists and leaders. They capture moments of determination, exhaustion and celebration along the way, according to a release from the Freedom Center.
“The collective effort that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 parallels the actions of those who, more than a century earlier, sought freedom for themselves and others through the Underground Railroad,” said Woodrow Keown Jr., the museum’s president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Center.
“Presenting Matt Herron’s photography during America’s 250th anniversary invites visitors to reflect on contemporary issues and the ongoing pursuit of freedom, justice and equitable civic participation.”
A unique perspective on history and today
The photographs were originally part of an exhibition Herron curated before his death in 2020. They are now part of the Freedom Center’s collection. The exhibition also includes some of Herron’s personal belongings, including his leather camera bag and hip carrier.
Visitors will also find oral histories from march participants collected by Foot Soldiers Park, interviews with local activists and community leaders, and materials examining the immediate impact of the Voting Rights Act and the continuing fight for voter equity.
Through programming focused on voter education, civics, and community engagement, visitors will make connections to issues shaping our world today,” according to Shawnee Turner, the Freedom Center’s VP of education and interpretation.
“Herron’s photographs capture both the urgency of a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and resonate with us now as voting rights face renewed challenges,” Turner added.
“Witness to the Journey” is part of the 2026 FotoFocus Biennial, “The Long View,” which includes more than 70 exhibitions at museums, galleries, universities and public spaces across Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Northern Kentucky.
The biennial’s 2026 theme explores how photography and film shape perspectives on time and the world around us.
“Through compelling photography, personal testimonies and opportunities for reflection, this exhibition places visitors alongside those who made extraordinary sacrifices in the fight for voting rights,” said Stephanie Lampkin, curator at the Freedom Center. “It challenges us to consider how individual and collective action continue to shape our democracy.”
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