Ugly Past

Castle: 1) cushy home of a fairy tale princess; 2) royal headquarters defended to the death by brave knights. Toss out these preconceptions before visiting the castle-centric exhibit now at the Kansas City, Missouri, Central Library (14 West 10th Street, 816-701-3407). As its title suggests, Bunce Island: A British Slave Castle in Sierra Leone, concerns an evil castle – not evil in the way of wicked sorcerers but evil in a true, human way. Between 1670 and 1807, some 30,000 slaves were held at Bunce Island on their way to the Americas. Learn more about the horrific story any of the week through August 8. Exhibit curator Joseph Opala will give a lecture on July 8. Before departing the library, check out another display that illustrates a different point in slave history. Color in Freedom: Journey Along the Underground Railroad consists of 49 prints by artist Joseph Holston, on view through August 1.

June 12-Aug. 8, 2010