Josiah Henson Museum & Park interprets the life, challenges, and triumphs of Reverend Josiah Henson. Henson was enslaved in Maryland and escaped to freedom in Canada in 1830, where he established a community for other formerly enslaved individuals and families. His 1849 narrative, The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, served as inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe’s landmark novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The museum is located on the former plantation property of Isaac Riley, where Henson was enslaved.
NLP developed the exhibit media during the design phase with Proun Design and went on to produce five media programs. Many of these programs preface the perspectives of Henson and other enslaved people.
Services
- Media Exhibit Design
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Content Development
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Original Production
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Project Management
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UX Design
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Software Development
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Graphic/Visual Design & Development
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2D Animation
The media programs include a twelve-minute orientation film that tells the inspiring story of Henson’s life. Interviews with historians and a descendent of Henson help guide the narrative.
Another film, Escape, focuses on Henson’s escape north with his family based on his own recollections. This story is told in graphic novel style, with illustrations by noted illustrator Kyle Baker.
A touchscreen interactive allows visitors to “flip” through passages from Henson’s book and compare it to Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Other programs provide first person perspectives in audio recordings.
