Beyond Walls, Borders and Barriers
In 2023/24, CSIS led a US Embassy-funded series entitled Beyond Walls, Borders, and Barriers: Liverpool’s US Connection – Slavery and its Legacies. This international and collaborative programme featured events for different age groups to encourage engagement in local history and connect the classroom lessons to the wider city of Liverpool.
Key Stage 4 - Decolonising the Libraries, Museums, and Archives
This event centred around decolonizing spaces, including archives, libraries, and museums.
It began with a viewing of the US documentary film Free Renty at FACT in Liverpool. This film tells the story of Tamara Lanier, an activist fighting Harvard University to cede possession of daguerreotypes of her great-great-great-grandfather, an enslaved man named Renty.
The daguerreotypes were commissioned in 1850 by a Harvard professor to “prove” the superiority of the white race. The images remain emblematic of America’s failure to acknowledge the cruelty of slavery, the racist science that supported it, and the white supremacy that continues to infect our society today.
We travelled to the Victoria Gallery and Museum, where students toured the collections we house on campus, and spoke to the curators and our library team about the ongoing work at the university. The day ended with a virtual conversation with Tamara to discuss the ongoing court case, her family history, and the importance of decolonizing the archives.
Key Stage 3 - Legacies of Transatlantic Slavery and the Built Environment
This event focused on the legacy of slavery and how we interact with the repercussions of slavery every day in different ways.
It began with a tour of the International Slavery Museum (ISM) by Adam Andre. Originally established in 1994 and redesigned in 2007, this is the first UK museum solely dedicated to the history of slavery. This museum established a link between the English port towns and the wealth, power, and influence created in the American plantations.
This experience was supplemented by a workshop with a historian and museum educator, Jioni Warner, who presented an artifact-centred talk, focusing on the collections and narratives of the ISM, and the continued legacy and practice of discrimination, as well as advocating for continued action and anti-racism in the heritage sector. This day ended with a walking tour of the dock and city centre from historian Robin Plant, focused on the local built environment and the physical remnants of colonialism and empire.
Key Stage 2 - Connections to Slavery and Methods of Representation
This day focused on the built environment and architecture at the University of Liverpool, with strong US connections.
Dr Hilary McLaughlin-Stonham spoke to the students about representing history through different media, including museum exhibitions. She detailed the history of sites on campus, encouraged students to engage with representing this history by identifying topics and themes they would discuss in a display, and finished with a tour of 23-19 Abercromby Square (including the former home of Charles Prioleau) as a space for further research and exhibitions, resources, performances, and community use.
Students heard from renowned local artist Jioni Warner. She discussed her most recent creation, a globe featured in Liverpool’s city centre, and how she works, struggles, and strives to depict history through her art. This event ended with an independent art project entitled ‘A Museum for Me’, where students created their own museum based on their passion, family history, and interests.
Reflections
This programme sought to encourage students' participation and critique of the collections, spaces, and history of the University as well as the city of Liverpool. This action will not only increase students' sense of belonging but also enhance their overall confidence in historical knowledge, research practices, and the ability to influence and impact contemporary practice. CSIS thanks the US Embassy for its support in this project.
For further details on the wider schools programme and opportunities at the University of Liverpool, please visit Widening Participation and Outreach.
