Collection: Robert Smalls: From Chains to Congress

Gather close and bear witness to the remarkable journey of a man born into bondage who rose to become one of the most fearless champions of Black liberation—Robert Smalls. Born in 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina, Smalls was the child of an enslaved woman and a white man, brought up under the cruel yoke of white supremacy. But from a young age, he displayed an indomitable spirit: keen, courageous, and cunning. While working on the Confederate ship The Planter during the Civil War, Smalls made history in 1862 when he led a daring escape, steering the vessel through enemy waters and surrendering it to the Union Navy. Not only did he liberate himself, but he freed his family and crew, striking a blow against the very institution that tried to dehumanize him. That single act made him an instant hero in the North and a symbol of resistance in the South.

 But Smalls didn’t stop there, no. After the war, he dedicated his life to rebuilding a nation that had tried to bury his people. He entered politics during Reconstruction and was elected to the South Carolina State Legislature and later served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smalls fought relentlessly for Black education, civil rights, and equal protection under the law, often in the face of hatred and danger. After politics, he returned to his hometown where he founded businesses and continued uplifting his community until his death in 1915. His life is a living testament to the power of Black intellect, courage, and vision. This exhibit honors Robert Smalls not just as a war hero or politician, but as a Black man who turned the tides of history through sheer will, strategic genius, and unshakeable love for his people.