DEERFIELD, Mass. – The season for Historic Deerfield is now underway with the opening coming with the unveiling of a new exhibition called "Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North."

The project features just under 100 pieces of artwork, including paintings, sculptures and photographs detailing events from the late 17^th century through the 19^th century.

The images on display will expose viewers to the truth of how popular the slave trade was in the north. It will also highlight the fight by many white northerners to keep slavery legal, fighting the conventional narrative that it was only the south fighting against emancipation.

Historic Deerfield Curatorial Department Director Amanda Lange said the goal of the exhibit is to highlight the history of racism, as well as slavery in the north.

"I think a lot of people might be surprised that of the New England states, Rhode Island was perhaps the largest slave-owning state in the north, and they also particularly in the cities of Newport and Providence really participated in the act of slave trade," Lange said.

The exhibit will be open to the public through August during regular museum hours Wednesday through Sunday.