Black Abolitionists in Norfolk Pop Up Display

Saturday 15 to Saturday 29 October 2022 (closed Sunday and Monday)

10am to 4pm

Included with museum admission

https://norfolk-museums.arttickets.org.uk/ancient-house/2022-10-01-ancient-house-

winter-season-2022-23

Learn about the fascinating history of the African-American abolitionist lecturers who

toured Norfolk during the 19th century. Find out how they played a key role in raising

awareness of the horrors of slavery.

This touring exhibition was developed by Dr Hannah-Rose Murray from University of

Edinburgh and Melissa Hawker, Norfolk Museums Service Learning Officer, and

supported with funding from the US Embassy and the British Association for

American Studies Small Grants Programme.

The exhibition builds on 2007 research into the white anti-slavery movement in

Norfolk. It will focus on Black voices and the Black lived experience of slavery. You

can learn about the formerly enslaved African Americans who travelled to Norfolk.

Find out about their radical journey to teach local audiences about slavery, racism,

and lynching.

Discover the stories of people such as: Moses Roper, Henry 'Box' Brown, who

posted himself to freedom, Ellen Craft, who escaped in disguise, and Samual

Ringgold Ward, president of the American League of Colored Labourers among

many others. This exhibition places the role of black activists in campaigning for their

own freedom at its heart. This goes some way to redress the balance of the common

narrative that tends to place too much emphasis on ‘white saviour’ narratives.

The exhibition also incorporates a contemporary response to Moses Roper’s story by

Norfolk-based Black artist, Cheryl Roach. Commissioned by the project, Cheryl’s

powerful work features in the exhibition.