Bath and North East Somerset Black History marked during October

Objects belonging to one of the most influential statesmen of the 20th century - Emperor Haile Selassie, who lived for some years in Bath, are going on display this month. 

The Roman Baths Museum will have a temporary exhibition on display in the Pump Room King’s Lounge in collaboration with Fairfield House. Entry to the exhibition which starts on October 24 is free and access is via the Stall Street entrance during opening hours 10am-5pm.

The objects on display, including golf clubs and walking sticks, belonged to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, who lived in Fairfield House from 1936-1941 was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974.

Fairfield House, at 2 Kelston Road, is offering Historical Guided Tour Public Open Days every Sunday during October and beyond. Details of the tours can be found on their website here. 

Bath Record Office has curated an online exhibition available via www.batharchives.co.uk featuring stories of black people who lived, worked or visited Bath from the 18th century.

It is also featuring a recent project funded by The National Archives Testbed Fund, which has addressed Bath’s links with colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade and produced valuable research tools. Information about this project can be found here. 

To raise awareness about Black authors and poets, Bath and North East Somerset Council Libraries are providing book recommendations for all ages highlighting Black authors and poets as well as a display in Keynsham Library and Information Service.  

Black History Month takes place in October every year and is an annual commemoration of the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in the UK. You can learn more about this year’s activities via their website. 

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Communities, said: “I am pleased to celebrate Bath and North East Somerset’s Black History and bring attention to the accomplishments of Black Britons in all aspects of our history. Black History Month is a national celebration which presents a further opportunity to celebrate, reflect, and learn from Black history in our area.”