St. Cloud State University Professor Dr. Christopher Lehman is co-curating an exhibit at the Hennepin History Museum (HHM) based off of research from his latest book.
Lehman, a professor of ethnic studies in the Department of Social Sciences, published his seventh book “It Took Courage: Eliza Winston’s Quest for Freedom” in 2024, which was a 2025 Minnesota Book Award finalist.
The book follows the story of Eliza Winston, an enslaved woman from Mississippi who had her freedom granted by a Minnesota judge in 1860.
Last year Lehman met with the HHM’s executive director John Crippen at an event for the “Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder,” the oldest Black-owned newspaper in Minnesota. They discussed the possibility of a collaboration, with Crippen later approaching Lehman about an exhibit based upon his research on Winston’s story.
“Serving as a co-curator has meant looking over the texts, original artwork and choices in artifacts for the exhibit,” Lehman said. “I enjoy my role, and I’m honored by the work the HHM is putting into the exhibit.”
Winston was the first and only enslaved person to successfully fight for her freedom in a Minnesota courtroom.
“Winston: A Woman’s Fight for Freedom in Minnesota” will open on Oct. 11.
