The International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina, has proudly announced the acquisition of a remarkable collection of 15 daguerreotypes, believed to be the earliest known photographs of enslaved Americans, dating back to 1850.
The images feature seven individuals: Alfred, Delia, Drana, Fassena, Jack, Jem, and Renty, with Renty and Delia being father and daughter, as well as Jack and Drana. These significant photographs, referred to as "The 1850 Daguerreotypes," were captured by J. T. Zealy in South Carolina, shortly after the invention of the daguerreotype. Each subject is depicted from the waist up, shirtless, in both frontal and profile views.
Commissioned by Louis Agassiz, a 19th-century natural historian and professor at Harvard University, these images were initially used to promote racist ideologies. Rediscovered in Harvard's archives in 1976, they have now found a more respectful home.
Recently, the IAAM celebrated the arrival of these historic photographs with a reception. The museum aims to transform the narrative surrounding these images, shifting from their original use as tools of pseudoscience to honoring the lives of the seven enslaved individuals.
Tonya M. Matthew, president and CEO of IAAM, expressed the importance of this acquisition, stating, "Preserving the stories of African American history is not just our mission, but a call to action for all of us. The full interpretation of these images will be transformational, moving the narrative from one of dehumanizing intent to one of trauma, resilience, and authentic memory."
A six-year legal battle ensued between Harvard and Tamara Lanier, who claims descent from Renty and Delia. Lanier's lawsuit, filed in 2019, argued that the photographs were rightfully her property as they were taken without consent from the enslaved individuals.
Although the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled against Lanier's ownership claims, a settlement was reached for Harvard to transfer the images to another institution, with the IAAM selected as the recipient. This transfer was officially completed in late 2025.
In a statement, a Harvard spokesperson noted that the university made a financial contribution to IAAM to honor the legacies and humanity of those depicted in the photographs.
Situated on Gadsden's Wharf, a historical entry point for enslaved Africans, the IAAM opened its doors in 2023 after years of planning. Lanier remarked, "This is a moment when we return these formerly enslaved men and women to the community and to the history from which they were so wrongfully extracted."
The museum plans to display reproductions of the daguerreotypes in October, using a trauma-informed framework that prioritizes the humanity of the individuals depicted. Malika N. Pryor, IAAM's chief learning and engagement officer, emphasized the significance of this exhibit, stating, "It is more than a homecoming; it is a homegoing, where our ancestors finally get to be properly laid to rest."