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The Lemon Project

A Journey of Reconciliation

Location
Swem Lobby Exhibit Case
Duration
-

The Lemon Project aims to build bridges between William & Mary and African American communities and to “rectify wrongs perpetrated against African Americans by William & Mary.” The Lemon Project was officially established in 2009 when the Board of Visitors responded to persistent calls from students and faculty to study William & Mary’s past. The BOV acknowledged that the university had “owned and exploited slave labor from its founding to the Civil War; and that it had failed to take a stand against segregation during the Jim Crow Era” and offered its support for the Lemon Project. The project is named for Lemon, a man enslaved by the university. While Lemon’s individualism is incredibly important, his name also serves as a symbol for African Americans who helped build William & Mary.

This exhibit is in honor of the 15th Annual Lemon Project Spring Symposium, which will be held March 21-22, 2025 and is titled “Undefeated: Black Resilience through Resistance, Creativity, and Cooperation.”

Case for the Lemon Project exhibit in Swem Library's lobby, March 2025
Case image for Lemon Project exhibit in Swem Library's lobby, March 2025
T-shirt and events flyer for the Lemon Project Society
Photo and information about Dean Carroll Hardy
Symposium program and introductory text about the Lemon Project
Informational flyer about Lemon, a man enslaved by William & Mary and the namesake of the Lemon Project
Dedication program and list of enslaved individuals for Hearth Memorial to the Enslaved
2024 W&M Kente Cloth and informational label
Text of the W&M Board of Visitors resolution
Chronology of Race Relations at W&M and information about founding of Lemon Project

Curators: 

  • Faith Page '26, Special Collections Student Assistant
  • Kara Park '26, Special Collections Student Assistant

Designer: 

  • André Poniewozik '26, Special Collections Graphics Student Assistant

Fabrication and Installation: 

  • Jennie Davy, Exhibits & Artifacts Curator
  • Faith Page '26, Special Collections Student Assistant
  • Kara Park '26, Special Collections Student Assistant

Special Thanks: