David Livingstone Birthplace reopens to the public
David Livingstone Birthplace in Blantyre has reopened its doors after four years, following a £9.1m regeneration project!
Article Source: David Livingstone Birthplace
Last Updated: 28 July 2021 10:50
The project was made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Scottish Government, Historic Environment Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council.
Home to the UK’s most famous Victorian explorer, missionary and abolitionist of the 19th century, the David Livingstone Birthplace Museum has been redesigned to follow Livingstone’s life from birth to death alongside new exhibits that focus on the 21st century legacy of Livingstone within the context of Scotland’s role in slavery and colonisation.
Through key objects in the collection and interactives, the stories of the African men and women in Livingstone’s crew will be featured for the first time as part of the Museum’s new exhibition. The display aims to highlight marginalised histories relating to Livingstone’s story and present the interconnected role of Livingstone’s crew in the success of his explorations, the return of his body after his death and his ongoing legacy.
The new interpretation will reflect current scholarship on Livingstone as well as the extensive written testimony left in his journals, to dispel the long-standing hero image of Livingstone as a lone explorer, a perspective that was furthered by biographers after his death.
Grant MacKenzie, Director of David Livingstone Birthplace said: “Our doors have been closed for four years and we are thrilled to welcome back visitors. We hope that through the transformation of David Livingstone Birthplace, visitors will come away with a new understanding of his achievements, his failures, and the opportunity that his story holds to encourage a deeper understanding of marginalised histories and Scotlands's role in slavery and colonisation.”
The Museum will feature a dedicated new display to Livingstone’s leading crew members from Southern Africa, Abdullah Susi who was from today’s Mozambique and James Chuma, from today’s Malawi. Also presented will be the diary of Jacob Wainwright, born near Lake Nyasa in East Africa, the youthful and highly literate crew member who played a prominent role in Livingstone’s story and particularly his death, being instrumental in helping to transport Livingstone’s body and possessions back to the UK. Alongside these individual stories, the Museum will examine the wider roles and responsibilities of Livingstone’s extensive crew in his many missions.
A key feature is the Legacy room in the exhibition, which presents the impact Livingstone continues to have on the Sub-Saharan countries that he visited in his lifetime. A series of talking head interviews with individuals from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Scotland, created in partnership with Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP) is featured.
Another highlight will be the newly restored Pilkington Jackson Tableaux. These eight unique polychromatic plaster sculptures depict scenes from David Livingstone’s life and journeys in Southern and Central Africa.The work was created by prominent 20th Century British sculptor Charles d’Orville Pilkington Jackson in the 1920s. The pieces were commissioned in 1927 after the Executive Committee of the Scottish National Memorial to David Livingstone was established to honour his memory as well as secure the site of his birth in Blantyre.
Tales from the Tableaux is a new exhibit that will feature alongside these conserved sculptures. Working with Zimbabwean author and Livingstone scholar, Petina Gappah and Mallard Productions in Glasgow, a series of new animations bring the Tableaux to life. While the sculptures draw on imagery typical to the era in which they were created and perpetuate the myth of Livingstone as a lone explorer, the animations now bring hidden histories to the fore. Among those brought to life by the animation are Motshipi, one of the wives of Chief Sechele I of the BaKwena, Mary Livingstone, Paulo Molehane, James Chuma and Mjakazi. The animations were commissioned to complement the wider exhibition, highlighting the contribution of the men and women that aided Livingstone’s expeditions as well as allowing those affected by the activities of the missionaries, the East African Slave Trade and European colonisation to share their stories.
To find out more about the David Livingstone Birthplace visit www.david-livingstone-birthplace.org
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly
National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORE
Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror
Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MORE
The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024
Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MORE
Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge
With a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum joined forces to mark significant milestone
Stirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MORE
Cornton Street Party Celebration to mark Changing Seasons
Stirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORE
Lights, camera, action, Delight as Stirling Studios announced
Stirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family Fun as BRICKLIVE Ocean arrives in Stirling
Families have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle
Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORE
Kevin McKenzie Named Honorary Chieftain of the 2024 Stirling Highland Game
The Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE
Teenager up for Song of the Year at The John Lennon Songwriter Contest
17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MORE
Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MORE
POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores
This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MORE
Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MORE
Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes
Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORE
Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours
Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MORE
Enjoy an Eggcellent Easter Break with Macdonald Hotels
Macdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MORE
Clydesdale Horses Gather to celebrate Kelpies Sculptures Effect a decade on
A mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MORE
Free activities this Easter at Dobbies
Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MORE
Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations
The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MORE
Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!
This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MORE
Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue
A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORE
Winners revealed at Go Forth Stirling 2024 Business Awards
A range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORE
A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival
Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MORE
National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me
Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MORE
Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative
Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MORE
Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links