JMU Paul Jennings Residence Hall
Paul Jennings’ life and legacy are at the heart of this residence hall’s environmental graphics and interpretive exhibit.
Born into slavery at Montpelier, Paul Jennings went on to purchase his freedom, raise a family, own property, and become an abolitionist and respected member of Washington, D.C.’s free Black community. We collaborated with JMU, members of the Jennings family, and the Montpelier community to develop an exhibit that shares his story and gives students a fuller understanding of his life and legacy.
Client
James Madison University
Location
Harrisonburg, VA
Markets
Collaborators
The exhibit extends from the lobby into the Common House and is organized into three sections: The Mere Distinction of Color, which explores the lives of those enslaved at Montpelier; Overcoming the Odds, which tells Jennings’ story; and The Right to Rise, which shares his legacy through the words of his descendants. Durable wall graphics, historical imagery, and carefully organized content create an accessible introduction to a history that is an important part of the university’s story.
Content was developed with input from Jennings family descendants and the Montpelier community.
Historical photographs, documents, and quotations bring primary sources into the exhibit and connect students with Jennings’ life.
The exhibit continues from the lobby into the Common House, making the history part of the everyday experience of the residence hall.
