Witness to the Journey: Matt Herron and the Deep South, 1965

Witness to the Journey: Matt Herron and the Deep South, 1965 presents a compelling selection of 28 black-and-white photographs by renowned civil rights photographer Matt Herron. This exhibition documents the historic Selma to Montgomery March for Voting Rights, a pivotal moment in American history that directly led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Herron’s images capture the spirit, struggle, and triumph of the marchers—ordinary citizens, activists, and leaders—who walked 54 miles over five days to demand justice. The photographs reveal the diversity of participants, the role of music and federal protection, and the emotional highs and lows of the journey. The exhibition concludes with images reflecting the immediate impact of the Voting Rights Act and the ongoing fight for voter equity. By revisiting these images in 2026, America’s 250th anniversary, the exhibition encourages reflection on how far we’ve come and how far we still must go. 

Presented in the Freedom Center’s Skirball Gallery, the exhibition will be accompanied by Herron’s personal effects, including his leather camera bag and hip carrier, contextualizing the photographs and the broader Civil Rights Movement. Selected images are sourced from an exhibition originally curated by Herron and now part of the Freedom Center’s museum collection, offering a powerful lens into the moral arc of history and the enduring pursuit of justice.