Spend time with early photographs that reveal how Black Americans represented themselves and their communities.
The plan
The National Gallery’s exhibition brings together approximately 70 early photographs of and by Black Americans, many on view for the first time. Portraits and work by pioneering photographers explore identity, entrepreneurship, family and self-representation before, during and after the Civil War.
Opening weekend and the works
The exhibition opens November 7, 2026 and continues through March 14, 2027. Approximately 70 works from the museum’s collection explore the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The selection includes pioneering photographers James Presley Ball and James Van Der Zee, with many objects appearing publicly for the first time.
Where, when and what it costs
Find Remember Me in West Building, Ground Floor, Gallery G30. The National Gallery opens daily 10am–5pm. Admission to this exhibition is free and passes are not required, making it possible to keep the visit focused or extend it into the wider collection without buying an additional exhibition ticket.
Planning access
The West Building’s 6th Street entrance has a ramp and elevator access for wheelchairs and strollers. The East and West buildings connect underground, but start at the correct building if your main priority is the new exhibition. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at entrances on a first-come basis; availability is limited.
Before you go
Admission is free and no pass is required. Find the exhibition in the West Building, ground floor, Gallery G30.