Representing enslavement and abolition in museums
Subtitle: ambiguous engagements
By: edited by Laurajane Smith ... [et al.].
Series: Routledge research in museum studies -- 3
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 339
ISBN-13: 9780415885041
Subjects: Moral and ethical aspects; Slave trade; Exhibitions; HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain; Slavery in museum exhibits; Slavery; ART / Museum Studies; Museum exhibits; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Slavery; History
Description: "The year 2007 marked the bicentenary of the Act abolishing British participation in the slave trade. "Representing Enslavement and Abolition on Museums"- which uniquely draws together contributions from academic commentators, museum professionals, community activists and artists who had an involvement with the bicentenary - reflects on the complexity and difficulty of museums' experiences in presenting and interpreting the histories of slavery and abolition, and places these experiences in the broader context of debates over the bicentenary's significance and the lessons to be learnt from it. The history of Britain's role in transatlantic slavery officially become part of the National Curriculum in the UK in 2009; with the bicentenary of 2007, this marks the start of increasing public engagement with what has largely been a "hidden" history. The book aims to not only critically review and assess the impact of the bicentenary, but also to identify practical issues that public historians, consultants, museum practitioners, heritage professionals and policy makers can draw upon in developing responses, both to the increasing recognition of Britain's history of African enslavement and controversial and traumatic histories more generally"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.