Over 65 people gathered in the Tarble Arts Center Thursday night for the opening ceremony of the “Photographic Images and the History of African Americans in Coles County” exhibit.

The ceremony started with a slide lecture from Marianne Woods called “A Significant Past: Photographs of African Americans in Crawford County, 1850- 1950”.

She said she grew up in Amherst, Ohio where racism was very prevalent.

“Being a white woman growing up in a place like Amherst I decided to appease the heavenly spirits and show how much African Americans contributed to our history,” Woods said.

Professor Onnaiwu Ogbomo, director of African American studies, curated the History of African Americans in Coles County exhibit. The photos feature African American families, students and workers who lived here in the early nineteenth century up to the present. Each photo tells a little about the history of the land that is called Coles County.

Ogbomo said that he had a hard time getting people to give up some of their pictures for the exhibit.

“Photographs are very precious to people,” Ogbomo said. “More precious than gold or silver because they tell a story.”

“When people think of Charleston, diversity is not the first thing that comes to mind, but tonight we are rediscovering our history,” said Blair Lord, vice president for academic affairs.

Judith Williams Lyles, professor for the department of counseling and student development, has photos of herself and families in the exhibit.

“To see people acknowledge the struggles and accomplishments of my people has given me a sense of joy and high self-esteem,” Lyles said.

The exhibit will be on display until March 10.