Matheson presents ‘Chains of Steele: Money, Power, and Influence,’ opening Aug. 19

Press release from the Matheson History Museum

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – “Chains of Steele: Money, Power, and Influence” is the result of a year and a half of research, planning, and writing. Utilizing unique documents stored in the museum’s archive, the exhibit will examine two ancestors of Gainesville’s Matheson family, Augustus and Augusta Steele, and the ways that they interacted with and benefited from the institution of American slavery.

Augustus was born in 1792 in Massachusetts, and at the time of his birth, slavery was outlawed in that state. At the time of his death, he was a devoted Confederate official, advocate for slavery, and enslaver. The exhibit will look at what choices brought him to that point and how he benefited from those choices.

His only child, Augusta, was part of the last generation that grew up supported by the institution of slavery. She turned 18 in 1865, the year that emancipation reached Florida and the rebellion collapsed. The ways that her life went on afterwards tell us something about the long-lasting impacts slavery had on our history.

This original exhibition will feature Matheson Family photos rarely on display, excerpts from the family’s papers, and a memorial to the people the Steeles enslaved, with the first biographies ever written about these individuals. Special thank you to Hector Framing and Gallery for loaning antique frames to the museum for the memorial wall.

Opening Reception
Wednesday, August 19
7 p.m. – FREE

Tour the brand-new exhibition, meet the curator, and enjoy catering by D’s Comfort Foods.

This exhibition is sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville/Alachua County, FL, and the City of Gainesville.