Oxford City Council
Latest NewsOxford and the Slave Trade Exhibition Opens
The Museum of Oxford is hosting a fascinating new exhibition plotting the history of Oxfordshire's links with the slave trade. Connections: People & Places - Oxfordshire's links to the system of slavery and the slave trade exhibition will run from Friday 3 October 2008 through to 4 January 2009. The free exhibition has been organised by ACKHI, the African and African Caribbean Kultural Initiative who in 2007 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Oxford City Council, began research into Oxford's links with the slave trade and campaign to abolish it. The research was carried out by Anne Louise Avery and is from her forthcoming book being published in December.
The exhibition presents this exciting new research through paintings, documents and other artefacts. Objects from the exhibition include slave trade 'manilas' - iron/copper bracelets which were used as currency for the buying and selling of slaves. Junie James, Director of ACHKI, says: "This is a unique opportunity to come and see some of Oxfordshire's untold history. There is some fascinating research here and all will be revealed at the exhibition. I would encourage as many people as possible to come along to this free exhibition." Councillor Susanna Pressel, Lord Mayor of Oxford says: "Some people think that black immigration into the UK is a recent thing, but many Africans came here either direct or via the 'West Indies' centuries ago. Some were well treated, but many were not. "The story of how they came here and what then happened to them is a special part of the history of Oxfordshire. I'm very pleased to have been invited to open this important exhibition." Oxford is littered with evidence of the extent to which Africans were brought into the city through names of public houses such as the Black Boy in Headington and the Saresen's Head on High Street. Significant anti-slavery campaigners taught, studied and lived in Oxfordshire such as Sir William Dolben (1727-1814), MP for Oxford University, whose portrait hangs in the Examination School on High Street. The Dolben Act (1788) sought to restrict the numbers of enslaved Africans that could legally be carried on board a British slave ship. Come along to the exhibition to find out more. The Museum of Oxford is located in Oxford's historic Town Hall and is free to enter. For more information about the museum, special events and exhibitions call the Museum on 01865 252761 or visit the Museum of Oxford website. Copyright © Oxford City Council 2008 
|
