By Lindsey Arnold Seevers

The Johnson County Museum has launched a digital version of its 2022 special exhibition, “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation.”

Making its debut at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center ’s Juneteenth celebration on June 8, the online exhibition at JCPRD.com/REDLINED delves into the complex history of redlining and its profound impact on Johnson County and the broader region.

Originally a physical special exhibit at the Johnson County Museum, “REDLINED” offers a comprehensive journey through the origins, evolution and enduring consequences of redlining. Using content and images from the original exhibit, the digital version offers an engaging and accessible platform to delve into this important topic.

Online visitors will gain insight into the expansion of redlining during postwar suburbanization, the challenges during the Civil Rights Era, and the ongoing legacies that reverberate across the nation today.

“The history of redlining is inextricably intertwined with the history of Johnson County and suburban development across the U.S. Knowing this history helps us better understand the present and better consider the future,” said Johnson County Museum Curator of Interpretation Andrew R. Gustafson.

“We are grateful to our community who demanded that the “REDLINED” exhibit continue on, and to those who generously gave to support the transformation of the physical exhibit into a digital one.”

The digital “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation” exhibit was made possible with support from presenting sponsor the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors. Assistance was also received from Humanities Kansas; the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; the Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County; Resurrection, A United Methodist Church; Village Church, Presbyterian (USA); and many individual donors.

“The “REDLINED” digital exhibit allows us to share the award-winning work of the Johnson County Museum with the world,” said Johnson County Museum Director Dr. Mary McMurray.

“It also provides a platform from which we can continue this important research, convene community conversations on the history and lasting legacies of redlining, and do what we always do at the Johnson County Museum – learn from the past so we can build a better future.”

Lindsey Arnold Seevers is curator of engagement at Johnson County Museum.