Our Histories Revealed, Hull Old Town (17 - 31 Oct 2020)
This exhibition was displayed in shops windows along Whitefriargate and Hepworth Arcade, with some panels in Trinity Market Food Hall as part of Black History Month (BHM). It was commissioned by Hull High Street Action Zone for Historic England.
Placed in the heart of the community, the exhibition was highly accessible, well received and garnered a lot of interest from the media and the general public.
Find out more information on the Hull CC website about the exhibition.
For exhibition pictures, head to the picture gallery.
Placed in the heart of the community, the exhibition was highly accessible, well received and garnered a lot of interest from the media and the general public.
Find out more information on the Hull CC website about the exhibition.
For exhibition pictures, head to the picture gallery.
Our Histories Revealed, Goole Museum (5 Feb - 6 Apr 2019)
Find comments from visitors to our Goole Museum exhibition below.
If you haven't visited yet, it's open until Saturday 6 April so you still have time!
If you haven't visited yet, it's open until Saturday 6 April so you still have time!
"I wonder why there isn’t more in the library to tempt people to the fantastic exhibition currently on show in the museum African Stories in Hull and East Yorkshire – Our Histories Revealed and a fantastic opportunity to display books on black British history not taken advantage of!" - Anonymous |
"I enjoyed the exhibition currently on show and hope that the Goole community find it interesting as it reflects the importance of understanding our past and how this may impact on our future. Be great if books and other materials related to the exhibition were on show in the main library." - Anonymous |
"Fascinating exhibition well researched and presented. It needs to be promoted to schools and other educational organisations. I really enjoyed the historical linked to the contemporary. Please could you advertise the exhibition to the wider community. Be great if there was a bigger/more obvious presence in the library. Thank you." - Kali Case-Leng, Harrogate |
"Excellent exhibition, well presented and offering so much valuable history which, for the most part, I did not know of before. The masks are stunning and a brilliant addition to the exhibition." - Adam Ditchburn, Hull |
“Beautifully laid out, fascinating exhibition covering an interestingly wide range of jobs/occupations and artefacts etc. Wonderful photographs.” - Allison Edwards, Shipley |
“A lovely and warm exhibition with awesome care and research. Well done Gifty, Audrey and team. Needs to be more widely publicised as the info is so rare." - J Williams |
“Very nice thank you. Nice to see a library used.” - Mr and Mrs Fox, Lincoln |
“Brilliant exhibition – learned so much!! Will bring others to visit.” - F Hughes |
“Very interesting and educational.” - Mrs Copley, Goole |
“A very informative exhibition, well presented. However there is no reference to Britain’s involvement in the slave trade thus tracing the journeys of those who came to Hull and Yorkshire from the Caribbean. It is so necessary to get these stories into the public domain, acknowledging the contributions of people of African descent to this area over centuries. Thanks to all involved in putting together the exhibition and looking forward to seeing more.” - Megan Edwards, Leeds “Fascinating exhibition, beautifully illustrated with some excellent local links and stories.” - Chris Power |
“Wonderful exhibition – very well displayed. Pity it is so little advertised as it deserves a bigger audience. Congratulations to the team at African Stories in Hull and East Yorkshire project for rescuing these stories from obscurity." - A Lupton, Knaresborough “A superb exhibition; intelligent, detailed curation. The variety of information and stories being told here help capture this little known and significant part of Yorkshire’s history. Congratulations to the team on this. I agree: this needs promoting much more – to neighbouring cities, towns and educational establishments.” - V Mudd, Leeds |
Our Histories Revealed, Beverley (5 May - 30 June 2018)
Find everything that you need to know about our Beverley exhibition below.
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Comments
"Very well researched - incredible stories and histories" |
"Just brilliant! Every panel full of interest and surprise" |
"Informative and surprising historical details. Very interesting" |
"Very interesting" |
"Most interesting!" |
"Excellent" |
"Incredibly well researched. Fascinating insight and important stories that are very rarely told in this area" |
"Congratulations on an extremely valuable and socially important exhibit. More of this please!" |
"Most enlightening. Interested to find out the origins of the Beatles' song" |
"Amazing" - Anonymous |
"I like the idea of making an exhibition about this and I also really like the layout of the posters - especially the fabrics on the edges of them" - Amalie, York |
"Well done. Very informative. Impressive archive job ... really enjoyed it" - Tomasz, Czech Republic |
"Very pleased to see a comment of mine included - What a surprise!" - Denis Price |
"Congratulations on a fantastic exhibition. Well done to all involved. Just been reading all on the train. Loved it" - J, London |
"Fascinating research revealing the rich history of our region. Excellent!" - Anonymous |
"This at Treasure House is great!" - Anonymous |
"Brilliant. Lived around here all my life and never knew about any of this in the corridor except of course [Clive] Sullivan" - Anonymous |
"Wonderful to read and acknowledge this bit of history. Great exhibit. Thank you" - Cheryl Bowers (family of Aubrey Bowers) |
"Such important work. Thank you" - Anonymous |
"I found this exhibition very informative on a relative unknown element of Yorkshire society and culture" - Anonymous |
"Need more exhibitions!" - Anonymous |
"Fascinating exhibition. Thank you" - Anonymous |
"Wonderful exhibition so very informative" - Ellis |
"An excellent and informative exhibition! Very professionally displayed and attended by friendly, helpful and welcoming staff. Well done to all involved and thank you" - Anonymous |
"A really interesting exhibition" - Anonymous |
"Fascinating exhibition! Enriching!!!" - Anonymous, Prague, Czech Republic |
"Really interesting stuff - love all the links to American history in particular" - Rachel |
"Very relaxing" - Mary |
"A very interesting exhibition full of information and well compiled" - Anonymous |
"A fascinating story so well presented" - Anonymous |
"What a delightful exhibition - lovely to read social history and to recognise the rich heritage a city like Hull has" - Anonymous |
"Very interesting - with so many life stories" - Anonymous |
"Wonderful stuff" - Anonymous |
Our Histories Revealed, Hull (September - October 2017)
Here are a selection of comments left by visitors to our exhibition, 'Our Histories Revealed', at Hull History Centre during Sept/Oct 2017.
To see more images of the exhibition and associated events go to our Picture Gallery.
To see more images of the exhibition and associated events go to our Picture Gallery.
An amazing exhibition that tells the story of Hull, emphasising the strength of humanity in our diversity. I have no doubt that this exhibition will deepen the self-awareness of citizens of this great city and make a singular milestone in the City's forward march. Congratulations
H.E. Papa Owusu Ankomah, High Commissioner of Ghana to the United Kingdom
H.E. Papa Owusu Ankomah, High Commissioner of Ghana to the United Kingdom
A brilliant exhibition. Another proud history of Hull people that's little known. Everyone should come. Many congratulations. John Prescott How wonderful. A true story of this beautiful race. Well done. Great exhibition. Joan and Alan Newton Whitby, N. Yorks What an absolutely fantastic exhibition Clearly a lot of work went into it and it is so insightful it’s wonderful to learn about the intricate histories of my own town which I’d never have known about without all this research. Thank you. |
Amazing representation of the black heritage. So proud and privileged to share. Well done Gifty & Lauren. Cheryl Bowers 26/9/1 So engaging and fascinating. A massive work of art to have documented personal histories to create a social story of Hull. Thank you to those who contributed and produced this exhibition Absolutely amazing exhibition! Wonderful stories about a much neglected part of British history. Congratulations to the team! |
What a wonderful exhibition. I have spent a lovely morning reading & learning about this beautiful part of Hull’s history, I was totally unaware of. Extra special day with the visit from the High Commissioner of Ghana. Will certainly spread the word. Babs C of C volunteer 29/9/1 Our Histories Revealed offers a perspective on Hull that I barely knew existed! The exhibition intriguingly follows notable figures as well as lesser heard stories of humanity on a smaller scale. Both are touching stories of Hull’s surprisingly diverse past – can’t wait to delve deeper online! Maddie Drury, Voice Magazine Came back to finish the exhibition as was so impressed with the first half. I am ashamed today I knew very little about wartime service of Black officers & men & women. It is airbrushed out of history/films. Well done to all involved – brilliant. I really enjoyed this wonderful exhibition! Very incredible explaining and amazing presentation. It was so full of amazing people; it was so well written and very interesting. Thanks so much! An excellent day of talks and visit to the exhibition. |
Travelled from Ipswich to see my family (Bowers) display. So nice to have my family’s history on display and for people to have an insight of the journey and the mixed heritage that I derived from. Maria Haynes was my nana and Aubrey George my grandad 6/10/17 An excellent exhibition. It shows just how far we have progressed regarding racism since the 18-19th centuries. The exhibition shows the personal lives of individuals – its so interesting to read their own stories alongside the photographic images 29/9/17 This is ground breaking project! I’m blown Away! I couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear to heart! Well done Fascinating insight into other’s lives. Very moving and life affirming. Surprised to see so much information ie racial – it was so interesting – so much to see in the one place. Pity we didn’t have more time but we will be back to delve in the family history dept. |
Our ESOL students really enjoyed the exhibition – brilliant visuals and very interesting to see the stories. LOVED the masks!! It was very good and inspirational and there is lots of amazing, interesting facts. “Good” Michael A truly inspired cultural exhibition. Well done! More Commments
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Very concise and wide-ranging and interesting to learn of Hull’s history. I love the timelines helps to put the information in context. Feel more educated on black history wooo! Charlie |
Brilliant brought tears to my eyes 26/9/17
Wonderful exhibition – well put together. Inspiring…I hope it goes on to inspire others
Thank you 6/10/17
It was very good and Inspirational an there is lots of amazing, interesting facts.
Really educational. Brilliantly curated. It is so interesting to learn about the local people and the Black history of Hull.
The story needs to be told.
Outstanding exhibition, loved all of it. Well thought out well done to everyone involved. Proud to be part of Hull’s heritage.
A real education in human terms and timelines
Love the human story approach
So much work and preparation
Really good that families want to share their stories
Will tell the world to come and visit the exhibition for an hour or two
Thank you for your hard work !!
Very interesting indeed – I’ve learned a great deal! 29/9/17
Really interesting exhibition – I don’t have time to read everyone’s stories today so I will come back soon & spread the word! Wonderful & moving to find out more about hidden or untold histories of Hull. 10/10/17
Wonderful exhibition – well put together. Inspiring…I hope it goes on to inspire others. Thank you. 6/10/17
So glad to see this revival in history looked at locally
Our story being told at last. Well done. Brilliant Exhibiton. Rob 17/10/17
Fascinating and eye-opening exhibit! Fantastic to learn a history I was only fleetingly aware of. Ted
Fascinating. Wish I had more time to look and take it all in. Thank you & God Bless Tracey x
It’s a really interesting exhibition. I have learnt so much I would back soon. I have read all stories around here. From Charlotte 17/10/17 I learnt a bit more …. With headphones with video
Fascinating exhibition. Arresting in information & the virtual display. Valuable research to get us all asking questions.
Thank you, a very informative exhibition. I particularly liked the theme of people liberating themselves and not just “Wilberforce”. Very moving
My family are black Jews, my grandad came in the 50’s from Ghana. Africa had a rich history before slavery but it is untold. 11 year old Ruby
Amazing exhibition, so informative and extremely interesting. It is fascinating to know that so many Black and mixed race people chose to visit Hull and area.
Fascinating and informative exhibition from a well researched and much needed history project. Thank you 21/10/17
Hull and Liverpool so much in common. Racist behaviour among the Anfield faithful stopped with the arrival of that most elegant skilful player, John Barnes.
Wonderful exhibition – well put together. Inspiring…I hope it goes on to inspire others
Thank you 6/10/17
It was very good and Inspirational an there is lots of amazing, interesting facts.
Really educational. Brilliantly curated. It is so interesting to learn about the local people and the Black history of Hull.
The story needs to be told.
Outstanding exhibition, loved all of it. Well thought out well done to everyone involved. Proud to be part of Hull’s heritage.
A real education in human terms and timelines
Love the human story approach
So much work and preparation
Really good that families want to share their stories
Will tell the world to come and visit the exhibition for an hour or two
Thank you for your hard work !!
Very interesting indeed – I’ve learned a great deal! 29/9/17
Really interesting exhibition – I don’t have time to read everyone’s stories today so I will come back soon & spread the word! Wonderful & moving to find out more about hidden or untold histories of Hull. 10/10/17
Wonderful exhibition – well put together. Inspiring…I hope it goes on to inspire others. Thank you. 6/10/17
So glad to see this revival in history looked at locally
Our story being told at last. Well done. Brilliant Exhibiton. Rob 17/10/17
Fascinating and eye-opening exhibit! Fantastic to learn a history I was only fleetingly aware of. Ted
Fascinating. Wish I had more time to look and take it all in. Thank you & God Bless Tracey x
It’s a really interesting exhibition. I have learnt so much I would back soon. I have read all stories around here. From Charlotte 17/10/17 I learnt a bit more …. With headphones with video
Fascinating exhibition. Arresting in information & the virtual display. Valuable research to get us all asking questions.
Thank you, a very informative exhibition. I particularly liked the theme of people liberating themselves and not just “Wilberforce”. Very moving
My family are black Jews, my grandad came in the 50’s from Ghana. Africa had a rich history before slavery but it is untold. 11 year old Ruby
Amazing exhibition, so informative and extremely interesting. It is fascinating to know that so many Black and mixed race people chose to visit Hull and area.
Fascinating and informative exhibition from a well researched and much needed history project. Thank you 21/10/17
Hull and Liverpool so much in common. Racist behaviour among the Anfield faithful stopped with the arrival of that most elegant skilful player, John Barnes.
From our Comments Book
29/9
A truly extraordinary exhibition. Thought provoking and inspiring in equal measure.
29/9/17
How instructive to show such a different element of Hull and region’s history. Diversity always enriches, if only this could be widely recognised. Real thanks for such a great exhibition.
29/9/17
Very interesting indeed!
29/9/17
An informative and inspiring exhibition. Thanks for all your hard work in telling the stories of Africans who lived and work in Hull and its surrounds.
29/9/17
Absolutely fantastic exhibition showing the long and brilliant contribution black people have made to this city . Very pleased to see Christopher Alder prominently mentioned especially as those in authority want people to forget his story altogether. Well done on a brilliant exhibition.
29/9/17
A lovely afternoon ‘volunteering’ at this inspiring exhibition. Lots of great stories to put into the jigsaw of Hull’s history
3/10/17
An amazing exhibition. Incredibly thought provoking
John and Lorraine Sabini
Hamilton
New Zealand
3/10/17
An interesting afternoon volunteering here. Thank you to Gifty for our mini ‘masterclass’ before the shift.
Alison E Bateman
4/10/17
A fascinating insight into the rich tapestry of Hull and East Riding culture and Black history. Excellent.
C.Ludford (Skipton)
4/10/17
Thanks Gifty on the insight to this exhibition – great, loved my afternoon shift
Diane Maria Peaks (COC Volunteer)
5/10
A very interesting exhibition. Lots of new history to learn about
5/10
Fascinating and well displayed and important
5/10/17
Enjoyed exhibition
6/10/17
Wow! Loved the exhibition. I hope it continues and gets to, and inspires a wider audience.
6th October
Very interesting and enlightening exhibition, nice balance of content. Maybe next time a little larger and run for a longer period.
6th Oct
An important exhibition and so welcome, to celebrate black culture and achievement in Hull
VS Metcalfe
6th Oct
Very interesting, it has given me a bigger understanding of Hull’s Black heritage.
A Kirby (Hull)
6/10/17
Very good and informative exhibition.
Really enjoyed it.
7/10/17
Wonderful exhibition, I learnt so much from it. Thank you.
10/10/2017
Amazing exhibition. Thanks so much for telling these stories! Work wise this is much needed and I’m so glad it’s finally here – well done and congratulations to all involved!
Charlotte
10/10/17
Fascinating and moving exhibition – clearly and logically displayed so you are led round to the next interesting part. Excellent.
11/10/17
Very well organised, excellent – pity the plants are not as well looked after!
Enlightening exhibition. David Thompson
Excellent exhibition and good to know some of the history of black people in Hull
Stories just waiting to be told! Well done Wilberforce Team. John
A fascinating insight. The more you look the more there is to see!
What a wonderful display well done! I have been a volunteer today thoroughly enjoyed my shift. Hope to be back.
17/10
Superb exhibition, an eye-opener, so many moving and impressive stories. Will spread the word. Paul Grinstead, Driffield (Friends of Malawi)
Echo, Superb, 30 mins & so many things learned, a ‘must see’ with experts to consult. Excellent exhibition which radiates enthusiasm & precision - many thanks to the very knowledgeable and friendly curator and staff. Paul T
Thank you Lauren for your excellent support, knowledge & enthusiasm of the exhibition. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Barbara Cawthorne
Thanks. Learnt a lot from exhibition and where people came from I have learnt lot of different stories as well. From Charlotte
Enjoyed the morning volunteering. Learnt as much about African Hull History, thank you. Sheila
Such an interesting exhibition. Loved the stories of individuals & families. Some very brave people who suffered terrible hardship & ignorance of others.
19/10/17
Wonderful exhibition, great photos & artefacts. Thank you. Holly & Ivy
Excellent exhibition. A story that needs to be told. Thank you.
A truly brilliant exhibition, very thought-provoking. It made me completely rethink parts of our history. The exhibition has done a fabulous job of writing these fascinating stories into the fabric of Hull & East Yorkshire (& British) history! Dr Lauren Darwin was very knowledgeable and has clearly worked very hard to bring these stories to life. A big well done & congratulations to everyone involved!
Great shift today excellent exhibition. Lauren was so knowledgeable.
Very positive exhibition. Well done. Stephen, London, UK
Cooler than Clint Eastwood
21/10/17
Most interesting and worthwhile. Please keep expanding the archive, and try to find a permanent site to exhibit it.
Very interesting exhibition. Really enjoyed it.
I loved looking at the masks. I was excited to see everything.
I’m really thankful for the hard work put into this exhibition. It’s enlightening, affirming and encouraging as a person of African descent to see these stories finally gaining some of the attention they deserve HKM x
A truly inspiring exhibition. Having a local history project really brings thee stories here and makes the histories alive and relevant. This sort of thing really has the potential to open people’s minds and change the way they see the world or at least that’s how I felt. It also made me feel extremely proud. I really hope this work can continue. Chenaiyi
A fantastic exhibition – so well researched and brought to life with the personal stories of the people of Hull. As a means of making us all more aware that we are immigrants and should embrace & celebrate our diversity and be thankful for the skills & knowledge that other people and culture can share. M. Fox
A very though provoking exhibition. Thankyou. Helen S.
A truly extraordinary exhibition. Thought provoking and inspiring in equal measure.
29/9/17
How instructive to show such a different element of Hull and region’s history. Diversity always enriches, if only this could be widely recognised. Real thanks for such a great exhibition.
29/9/17
Very interesting indeed!
29/9/17
An informative and inspiring exhibition. Thanks for all your hard work in telling the stories of Africans who lived and work in Hull and its surrounds.
29/9/17
Absolutely fantastic exhibition showing the long and brilliant contribution black people have made to this city . Very pleased to see Christopher Alder prominently mentioned especially as those in authority want people to forget his story altogether. Well done on a brilliant exhibition.
29/9/17
A lovely afternoon ‘volunteering’ at this inspiring exhibition. Lots of great stories to put into the jigsaw of Hull’s history
3/10/17
An amazing exhibition. Incredibly thought provoking
John and Lorraine Sabini
Hamilton
New Zealand
3/10/17
An interesting afternoon volunteering here. Thank you to Gifty for our mini ‘masterclass’ before the shift.
Alison E Bateman
4/10/17
A fascinating insight into the rich tapestry of Hull and East Riding culture and Black history. Excellent.
C.Ludford (Skipton)
4/10/17
Thanks Gifty on the insight to this exhibition – great, loved my afternoon shift
Diane Maria Peaks (COC Volunteer)
5/10
A very interesting exhibition. Lots of new history to learn about
5/10
Fascinating and well displayed and important
5/10/17
Enjoyed exhibition
6/10/17
Wow! Loved the exhibition. I hope it continues and gets to, and inspires a wider audience.
6th October
Very interesting and enlightening exhibition, nice balance of content. Maybe next time a little larger and run for a longer period.
6th Oct
An important exhibition and so welcome, to celebrate black culture and achievement in Hull
VS Metcalfe
6th Oct
Very interesting, it has given me a bigger understanding of Hull’s Black heritage.
A Kirby (Hull)
6/10/17
Very good and informative exhibition.
Really enjoyed it.
7/10/17
Wonderful exhibition, I learnt so much from it. Thank you.
10/10/2017
Amazing exhibition. Thanks so much for telling these stories! Work wise this is much needed and I’m so glad it’s finally here – well done and congratulations to all involved!
Charlotte
10/10/17
Fascinating and moving exhibition – clearly and logically displayed so you are led round to the next interesting part. Excellent.
11/10/17
Very well organised, excellent – pity the plants are not as well looked after!
Enlightening exhibition. David Thompson
Excellent exhibition and good to know some of the history of black people in Hull
Stories just waiting to be told! Well done Wilberforce Team. John
A fascinating insight. The more you look the more there is to see!
What a wonderful display well done! I have been a volunteer today thoroughly enjoyed my shift. Hope to be back.
17/10
Superb exhibition, an eye-opener, so many moving and impressive stories. Will spread the word. Paul Grinstead, Driffield (Friends of Malawi)
Echo, Superb, 30 mins & so many things learned, a ‘must see’ with experts to consult. Excellent exhibition which radiates enthusiasm & precision - many thanks to the very knowledgeable and friendly curator and staff. Paul T
Thank you Lauren for your excellent support, knowledge & enthusiasm of the exhibition. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Barbara Cawthorne
Thanks. Learnt a lot from exhibition and where people came from I have learnt lot of different stories as well. From Charlotte
Enjoyed the morning volunteering. Learnt as much about African Hull History, thank you. Sheila
Such an interesting exhibition. Loved the stories of individuals & families. Some very brave people who suffered terrible hardship & ignorance of others.
19/10/17
Wonderful exhibition, great photos & artefacts. Thank you. Holly & Ivy
Excellent exhibition. A story that needs to be told. Thank you.
A truly brilliant exhibition, very thought-provoking. It made me completely rethink parts of our history. The exhibition has done a fabulous job of writing these fascinating stories into the fabric of Hull & East Yorkshire (& British) history! Dr Lauren Darwin was very knowledgeable and has clearly worked very hard to bring these stories to life. A big well done & congratulations to everyone involved!
Great shift today excellent exhibition. Lauren was so knowledgeable.
Very positive exhibition. Well done. Stephen, London, UK
Cooler than Clint Eastwood
21/10/17
Most interesting and worthwhile. Please keep expanding the archive, and try to find a permanent site to exhibit it.
Very interesting exhibition. Really enjoyed it.
I loved looking at the masks. I was excited to see everything.
I’m really thankful for the hard work put into this exhibition. It’s enlightening, affirming and encouraging as a person of African descent to see these stories finally gaining some of the attention they deserve HKM x
A truly inspiring exhibition. Having a local history project really brings thee stories here and makes the histories alive and relevant. This sort of thing really has the potential to open people’s minds and change the way they see the world or at least that’s how I felt. It also made me feel extremely proud. I really hope this work can continue. Chenaiyi
A fantastic exhibition – so well researched and brought to life with the personal stories of the people of Hull. As a means of making us all more aware that we are immigrants and should embrace & celebrate our diversity and be thankful for the skills & knowledge that other people and culture can share. M. Fox
A very though provoking exhibition. Thankyou. Helen S.