Upcountry History Museum presents iconic AP Vietnam War photos
May 13, 2022
Iconic images are a powerful part of the collective memory of the Vietnam War, and the Associated Press produced a vivid visual narrative of the human story of the conflict through the work of courageous photojournalists that can now be seen in Vietnam: The Real War – Photographs from The Associated Press, the newest exhibition opening at the Upcountry History Museum – Furman University, a Smithsonian Affiliate, on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
In 1954, decades of simmering conflicts in a then little-known part of the world turned into a 20-year war. By war’s end in 1975, everyone knew where Vietnam was. This exhibition features 50 gripping photographs that chronicle the Vietnam War as seen through the lens of some of the best photojournalists sent to Saigon by AP to cover the conflict and which helped connect the events and geography for the public. What resulted was one of the greatest photographic legacies of the 20th century.
In telling the human story of this long and divisive war that profoundly shaped American history, Vietnam: The Real War visually documents the impacts and tragedies of a conflict which left a lasting impression on those men and women who fought, to the journalists who covered it, to the millions who protested against or supported it. In its wake, legacies of these lasting impacts, redefined viewpoints, and expectations of fighting any war were forever changed.
Organized by AP and the Huntsville Museum of Art, Vietnam: The Real War will be on view through August 21, 2022. The Museum, in addition to hosting this distinctive exhibition, will include archival materials, objects, and oral histories from its permanent collection to support and further illustrate the impact of the Vietnam War. Many images in this exhibition contain graphic content and are not appropriate for younger-aged children. Viewer discretion is advised.
The Upcountry History Museum is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or visit www.upcountryhistory.org.
