Charleston Museum Acquires Historic 1850 Daguerreotypes of Enslaved Individuals

The International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, has obtained fifteen daguerreotype images from 1850, considered the earliest photographic records of enslaved Americans. The collection, created by J.T. Zealy in South Carolina, depicts seven individuals: Alfred, Delia, Drana, Fassena, Jack, Jem, and Renty. Originally commissioned by Harvard professor Louis Agassiz for racist scientific purposes, the images were held by Harvard University until their transfer in late 2025 following a legal settlement. The museum plans to reinterpret the photographs through a trauma-informed framework, with reproductions scheduled for exhibition in October. The acquisition follows a six-year legal dispute involving descendant Tamara Lanier, whose ownership claims were ultimately denied by Massachusetts courts.