Slavery & Bolton
2007 is the bicentenary of the passing of the Act by Parliament that abolished British slave trading. By marking this year for special observance all sorts of groups, societies and organisations have been spurred to think and rethink the meaning, history and legacy of slavery.
For museums and galleries it has been additionally a spur to re-examine their collections and their histories for their connections to this history. This has prompted museums and galleries in the Greater Manchester region to contribute to the Revealing Histories project.
Revealing Histories
Some more information about the purpose and importance of remembering slavery and about the Museum's involvement in the Revealing Histories project.
Crompton's Spinning Mule
The introduction of the Spinning Mule into cotton production processes helped to drastically increase industry consumption of cotton. There was a parallel increase in the slave trade to help keep up with demand.
Barbados Penny
A token commissioned by a plantation owner with an unusual, satirical depiction of a slave.
Abolition of Slavery Medal
A medallion given to British school children to commemorate the abolition of slavery
Cotton is King
An image of slaves working cotton fields while a white overseer looks on.
Ironing Day
Even childrens play reproduced the racial politics of the day. A black maid doll plays nanny to a white baby doll.
A romance of modern work
Images ofcotton picking are romanticised in a promotional brochure for Lancashire Mills.
