Gilded Halls & Hidden Resistance
In Belmont’s central hall, a proposed introductory exhibit would connect the mansion’s Revolutionary-era history with stories of the Underground Railroad.
Belmont’s central hall. Proposed design by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. Conceptual rendering. Final design subject to change.
What the Central Hall Reveals
Look closely at the furnishings and artwork. The proposed exhibit would bring the stories of people who lived and worked at Belmont into view, including people whose experiences are often overlooked in history.
-
① Black Women’s Resistance
A marble bust of an enslaved woman would introduce the role Black women played in the Underground Railroad.
-
② Landscapes in Motion
Animated landscape paintings would reveal stories that idealized views of the past can leave out.
-
③ History You Can Touch
A rail of touchable objects would give visitors a hands-on way to explore Belmont’s history.