Wells Fargo Extends African American History Tour, Brings The Kinsey Collection to Atlanta History Center
ATLANTA, GA, March 18, 2014- As the nation observes the Civil War Sesquicentennial and the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) and the Atlanta History Center readies the opening of the nationally acclaimed exhibition, The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Where Art and History Intersect, on April 5, 2014.
The Kinsey Collection includes artifacts and works of art demonstrating the artistic, historic, and cultural contributions and progress of African Americans. The exhibition features documents, artifacts, and photographs dating from 1600 to the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Jim Crow years, and the Civil Rights Movement.
The exhibition at the Atlanta History Center, on display through July 13, 2014, includes more than 130 items, featuring never before displayed artifacts, including: a first edition of Solomon Northrup’s 12 Years a Slave, the basis of the Academy Award-winning film; W.E.B Dubois 1st edition copy of his ground breaking book Souls of Black Folks; along with the earliest known African-American marriage record dating back to 1598.
Through these objects, The Kinsey Collection seeks to dispel myths and promote dialogue about the role of African Americans in the making of America. Wells Fargo and the Atlanta History Center invite visitors to contemplate the items displayed and to reflect on the progress that African Americans have made in civil rights and social justice, as well as consider the work remaining to achieve equality.
The role of African Americans in the art and culture of early America was far richer than commonly thought – a contribution that has endured and flourished. At the same time, the end of slavery with the Civil War did not end the exploitation, violence, and neglect of the previously enslaved and their descendants. Only through strength and commitment to social justice did African Americans secure their civil and human rights as a result of the Civil Rights Movement and passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“By presenting this exhibition, lectures, programs, and the community events that highlight the stories in the exhibition, Wells Fargo and the Atlanta History Center hope to establish that we are all connected by a common history and that our shared history cannot be segregated,” says Sheffield Hale, President and CEO of the Atlanta History Center. “Atlanta residents and visitors can realize that the legacy of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement – no matter their race or background – are inextricably linked and central to the lives of all people in the history of our nation.”
The exhibition has been seen at the Smithsonian Institution and 14 other venues, but never before in Atlanta. As part of Wells Fargo’s 2013 celebratory tour honoring the 150thanniversary of The Emancipation Proclamation, it traveled to leading African American museums including the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco, the Harvey B. Gantt Center in Charlotte, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore. Wells Fargo and the Kinsey family have extended the tour through 2014, moving it first to the Atlanta History Center, where it is on display from April 5 through July 13.
The exhibition’s combination of original documents, rare books, paintings and other works of art, early photographs and modern sculptures creates a unique and diverse experience, bringing history to life through art and artifacts. As visitors walk through the exhibition, they are fully immersed in a story of struggle for freedom, equality, and expression in American history – leaving the experience both educated and inspired.
Bernard Kinsey, avid collector, philanthropist, and educator, began this collection over 35 years ago with his wife, Shirley, and son, Khalil. Bernard was inspired to begin his collection after viewing an original bill of sale of William Johnson sold for $550 in 1832.
“The Kinsey Collection strives to give our ancestors a voice, name, and personality, enabling the viewer to understand the challenges, obstacles, triumphs, and extraordinary sacrifice of African Americans who’ve greatly contributed to the success of this country,” says Bernard Kinsey.
“The appreciation of culture, diversity, and human rights is at the heart of our vision and values,” says Greg Bronstein, Senior Managing Director of Wells Fargo Private Bank and a board member of the Atlanta History Center. “Extending this national tour provides Wells Fargo with the opportunity to encourage conversations about the value of diversity and inclusion while allowing us to recommit to the fundamental principles of equality that inspire and drive us all.”
In addition to hosting the nationally acclaimed exhibition at the Atlanta History Center, Wells Fargo presents special activities, such as Wells Fargo Free Admission Weekends. Presented on the third full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month, from April through June 2014, ALL guests to the Atlanta History Center receive FREE admission, including The Kinsey Collection exhibition. Admission also includes all History Center exhibitions, interactive experiences, explorations at Smith Family Farm and Swan House, and twenty-two acres of gardens and trails.
The Wells Fargo Free Admission Weekend in June accompanies the Atlanta History Center’s annual family program, Juneteenth: The First Day of Freedom. This two-day program focuses on the appreciation and commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.
As an extension of the national tour, Wells Fargo launched the Untold Stories: Our Inspired History campaign. The campaign features a three-part short film series narrated by celebrity influencers, Jordin Sparks, Lauren London, and Lance Gross, taking viewers through specific points in history highlighting artifacts from The Kinsey Collection. The campaign also extends into the social media space with multiple video vignettes featuring prominent lifestyle bloggers sharing their personal stories.
For more information or details on the Untold Stories: Our Inspired History campaign, please visit www.wellsfargo.com/kinseycollection.
COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS
Unless otherwise noted, the following programs are included with cost of general admission. For information about any of these programs call 404.814.4000 or visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Kinsey.
OPENING DAY PROGRAM
Opening Day Celebration: The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Where Art and History Intersect
Saturday, April 5, 2014
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Join the Atlanta History Center for the opening day of the Wells Fargo presented The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Where Art and History Intersect. Be among the first to view the exhibition on display at the Atlanta History Center. In the exhibition gallery, engaging and interactive museum theatre performances bring to life a few of the influential African American artists and writers featured in The Kinsey Collection. Gallery performances, written by the Atlanta History Center’s playwright, Addae Moon, include Ignatius Sancho, Phillis Wheatley, and Hale Woodruff. Ongoing hands-on activities engage children while they explore the themes of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Do not miss a special performance by the talented students of Atlanta Music Project. At 2 pm, meet at Woodruff Auditorium for An Afternoon of Art and Legacy featuring a talk with collectors Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, a Q&A session moderated by Lisa Frison, African American Segment Manager, Wells Fargo, followed by a book signing with the Kinsey family.
The exhibition is free to members and included in the cost of general admission for nonmembers. For information on the exhibition, programs, or to purchase admission tickets visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.
WELLS FARGO FREE ADMISSION WEEKENDS
Presented on the third full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month, April – June 2014, ALL guests to the Atlanta History Center receive FREE admission, including The Kinsey Collection exhibition.
- April 19 & 20
- May 17 &18
- June 21 & 22
FAMILY PROGRAMS
Meet the Past: Gallery Performances inspired by The Kinsey Collection
Weekends April – July 13, 2014
The Atlanta History Center invites you to Meet the Past in the gallery of The Kinsey Collection. History comes to life through engaging and interactive museum theatre performances based on a few of the influential African American artists and writers featured in The Kinsey Collection. Written by the Atlanta History Center’s playwright, Addae Moon, performances include Ignatius Sancho, Phillis Wheatley, and Hale Woodruff. For information visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com
Juneteenth: The First Day of Freedom
Saturday, June 21, 2014; 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, June 22, 2014; Noon - 5:00 pm
This two-day celebration focuses on the appreciation and commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Guests explore themes of freedom and family history through a variety of genealogy workshops, gallery character encounters, museum theatre performances, kid-friendly activities, and self-guided explorations of exhibitions, including The Kinsey Collection. This program is FREE to ALL as part of Wells Fargo Free Admission Weekends. For information call 404.814.4000 or visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.
Support:Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of Fulton County Arts Council.
For detailed descriptions and the latest updates visit www.AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Kinsey.
ABOUT WELLS FARGO: Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.5 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 locations, 12,000 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 264,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune’s 2013 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at blogs.wellsfargo.com.
ABOUT THE KINSEY COLLECTION:
The Kinsey Collection strives to Educate, Motivate & Inspire Americans to learn more about the remarkable contributions of African Americans in building America. The Kinsey Collection has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and scores of television/radio shows and newspapers/magazines nationally. It has been cited in three national awards including the nation’s highest honor, The President’s Medal for Museum and Library Services, and was selected as one of the “Top Ten exhibits to see in the world”. With their son Khalil, the Kinsey’s have developed a 198-page coffee table book that has been adopted by the State of Florida to teach African American history, and a companion lecture series titled “What You Didn’t Learn in High School History”. The Kinsey Collection exhibition has been on display in eight museums including the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, with an iteration of the collection showing at EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World Resort through 2015.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER:
Founded in 1926, the Atlanta History Center is an all-inclusive, thirty-three-acre destination featuring the Atlanta History Museum, one of the nation’s largest history museums; two historic houses, the 1928 Swan House and the 1860 Smith Family Farm; the Centennial Olympic Games Museum; the Kenan Research Center; the Grand Overlook event space; Chick-Fil-A at the Coca-Cola Café, a museum shop, and twenty-two acres of Historic Gardens with paths and the kid-friendly Connor Brown Discovery Trail.
In addition, the History Center operates the Margaret Mitchell House located in Midtown Atlanta. For information on Atlanta History Center offerings, hours of operation, and admission call 404.814.4000 or visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.
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