EMORY LIBRARIES ONLINE EXHIBIT

Framing Shadows

Portraits of Nannies from the Robert Langmuir African American Photograph Collection

The “nanny photographs” in this exhibition, dating from 1840 to 1920, offer early and consistent visual documentation of African American caregivers and white children. These photographs, along with written narratives and visual materials from Rose Library’s book and manuscript collections, supply critical counter-narratives to the well-known “mammy” stereotype and emphasize the undeniable humanity of each of the individuals shown. By looking at these portraits closely, we can tease out new insights into what is, perhaps, the most complex inter-racial relationship in American life.

Curated by Dr. Kimberly Wallace-Sanders

Photograph of child with light skin tone being held by woman with medium-dark skin tone. — Photograph of a White child being held by a Black woman. Robert Langmuir African American Photograph Collection, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

DR. KIMBERLY WALLACE-SANDERS
Interview

In this interview clip, curator Dr. Kimberly Wallace-Sanders discusses the inspiration behind her “Framing Shadows” exhibit at Emory’s Woodruff Library.

To watch the full interview, go to the resources page.

MEET THE CURATOR

EXPLORE The Exhibit

Photograph of woman with medium skin tone and woman with medium-dark skin tone holding photograph on phone

Photograph of woman with dark skin tone viewing exhibit display cases

Photograph of an audience of fifteen people watching three people in conversation

Ways to Give

The Emory Libraries welcome gifts of all kinds from Emory students, faculty, and staff and from the community. Gifts of all sizes provide Emory the ongoing resources that are crucial to its growth and success as a world-class institution. Every gift to Emory makes a difference, no matter what it supports.

Rose Library

The Rose Library has been shaped and strengthened through the generosity of thousands of individuals who, through the decades, have generously supported the library. We cannot realize our potential without the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations willing to invest in the Library’s future.

Funds donated to the collection endowments will create a lasting legacy for generations of future researchers and visitors.

Click here to give today:

University Libraries Fund for Excellence
MARBL Fund for Excellence /
Linda Matthews Fund for Special Collections
African American Collections Fund
Woodruff Library Exhibits
and Public Programming

Photograph of exhibit space with glass display cases featuring books, images, and descriptive text — Rose Library's exhibit space on the 10th floor of the Woodruff Library.

Brightly lit meeting room with two windows overlooking green foliage and a blue sky — Rose Library's balcony and meeting space on level 10 of the Woodruff Library.

Donating

The Rose Library accepts new archival materials regularly, however there are many factors to take into consideration before making a contribution. To learn more about what it means to donate, please visit the Society of American Archivists guides for donating personal and family collections or organizational records. We are happy to help find a home for your materials either at Emory or at another institution.

Who to Contact

For more information about financial contributions or if you are considering making a donation of manuscript or book materials, please contact Erin Horeni-Ogle, Director of Advancement, Emory Libraries at ehoreni@emory.edu or 404.727.5386.

Questions can be addressed as well to Chris Palazzolo, Head of Collection Management, at Woodruff Library at cpalazz@emory.edu.

The acceptance of a gift does not constitute adding an item to the collection; Emory reserves the right to make all collection decisions, in accordance with IRS regulations. Emory also reserves the right to dispose of materials not added to the collection as it sees fit (e.g., other vendors, booksellers, nonprofit groups).