Wilberforce House
Wilberforce House
Wilberforce House is the birthplace of William Wilberforce, famous campaigner against the slave trade.
Admission to Wilberforce House is free. The museum tells the story of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its abolition, as well as dealing with contemporary slavery. Galleries also offer a fascinating glimpse into West African culture.
The permanent displays at Wilberforce House include journals and items that belonged to William Wilberforce, including original costume. There are many significant items linked to slavery and the campaign to abolish it.
Wilberforce galleries
There are seven galleries at Wilberforce House:
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The History of the Building gallery explores the fascinating history of Wilberforce House, first built in the 1660s for Hugh Lister.
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The William Wilberforce galleries focus on Hull’s most famous son, following his life and political career, with original artefacts, costume and documents.
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The West African galleries upstairs explore the rich cultural traditions of specific African societies, looking at religion, ceremonies, music and adornment.
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The Capture and the Middle Passage galleries cover the horrific reality of being kidnapped and transported across the Atlantic in appalling and often lethal conditions.
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The Plantation Life galleries explore what life was like for enslaved Africans when they were sold to work on plantations in the Caribbean and the Americas. It looks at working conditions, health, punishment and death rates as well as how plantation workers rebelled and resisted slavery in multiple ways.
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The Abolition galleries look at the campaigns to abolish the slave trade and slavery, and what happened after emancipation was achieved. The gallery includes the famous Brooke’s slave ship model used by Wilberforce in the Houses of Parliament.
The Contemporary Slavery galleries shows slavery today and the work to try and stop it. This gallery also focuses on life in West Africa today and links in with Hull’s twin city of Freetown, Sierra Leone.