Bristol could get museum ‘chronicling history, lives and futures of those affected by enslavement’

A “cultural, educational and visitor experience” dedicated to the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans could be built in a former tobacco warehouse overlooking the entrance to Bristol’s docks.

The location for a future “world class” museum – or ‘story house’ – is likely to be the council-owned B Bond warehouse currently better known as the Create Centre, which houses Bristol Archives and a number of different organisations.

African Heritage Communities will also be commemorated “through permanent and impactful installations”, with a space by the Cascade Steps confirmed as the site for the first memorial.

A memorial commemorating African Heritage Communities will be installed at a space near the Cascade Steps – photo: Harry Pugsley

The museum and memorials are among the ambitions of the Bristol Legacy Foundation (BLF), who on Friday officially launched its work looking at Bristol’s history, racial justice and the future for African heritage communities in our city.

The BLF’s work has four distinct strands:

• Memorialisation: Creating a national and international monument in Bristol to honour the victims of enslavement.
• Story House: Establishing a museum or story House chronicling the history, lives, and futures of those affected by enslavement.
• Reparatory Justice: Building an African Heritage Centre of Excellence and Pan African Community Education Complex, along with a land-based initiative (Zenzele Village).
• Partnerships, Investments and Resources: Focuses on building partnerships, finding investments and resource support for the Bristol Legacy Foundation’s activities related to memorialisation and the museum / story house.

Bristol City Council say they have made “a commitment with BLF to support the aims of these projects and explore ways to deliver them together for the bicentenary of Slavery Abolition Act in 2033”.

Deputy mayor Asher Craig speaking at the launch of the Bristol Legacy Foundation – photo: Bristol City Council

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: “For decades Bristol has avoided meaningful acknowledgment of its involvement in the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans.

“Through a wide coalition of interest, Bristol is now primed to play a leading role nationally and internationally.

“One example of how the council will work with BLF is to identify an appropriate site for the Story House.

“Although detailed proposals are still to be worked up and it remains reliant on securing significant funding, we have agreed to explore the feasibility of homing such a museum at B Bond.

“Its former use as a tobacco bonded warehouse and pivotal location at the entrance to Bristol’s harbour provides a space with significant connections to the legacy of the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Afrikans.

“These are very early days and there’s a huge amount of work to be done before we’ll be in a position to consider and consult on proposals for how this could be achieved.”

Deputy mayor Asher Craig, chair and trustee of the BLF, added: “For years, Bristol ignored its role in the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and resisted calls for a commemorative programme.

“But the city has undergone a transformative journey in acknowledging its historical involvement in the TTEA and embracing the necessity for a commemorative and reparative program.

“Over the past decade, a coalition of interests has successfully driven this change, positioning Bristol to play a leading role nationally and internationally.

“Today’s launch of the Bristol Legacy Foundation marks a pivotal moment in our collective journey towards healing, reconciliation, and justice.

“Our vision for B Bond warehouse is to create a world-class Story House or museum that not only educates but also inspires positive change and a collective commitment to social and racial justice.”

B Bond warehouse is today better known as the Create Centre and the home of Bristol Archives – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo: Rob Browne

Read next:

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• Colston statue goes on permanent display at M Shed
• New evidence unearthed into Bristol’s early involvement in slave trade
• Bristol Uni building names with ties to slave trade to be kept