Places to go
Where can you go to find out more about this historic vessel? Let ICONS share our explorations with you.
Windrush Square, London
Windrush Square in Brixton was formed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of West Indian immigrants on the Empire Windrush in 1948, many of whom settled in the area. Black celebrities, dignitaries and political figures participate in the social, cultural and political life of the area.
Address: Between Rushcroft Road and Saltoun Road, Brixton (between Lambeth Town Hall and the Tate Library)
Tilbury Docks, Essex
In 2004, artist Jeremy Deller won the Turner Prize with work that included Five Memorials. These were monuments he put up around the country to honour people he felt passionate about.
One of the things Deller wanted to commemorate was the arrival of the Empire Windrush, the ship that brought Caribbean immigrants to England in 1948. He commissioned a brightly coloured woven banner to be put up in the passenger lounge of the cruise terminal at Tilbury docks, to mark the spot where the ship arrived.
“There was nothing at Tilbury docks to celebrate this momentous event, although there are lots of other photos for other ocean liners,” he explains. “The banner will stay there forever.”
Address: London Cruise terminal, Tilbury Freeport, Tilbury
Imperial War Museum, London
If it hadn’t been for the second world war, the Windrush and her passengers might not have made the voyage at all. During the war, thousands of Caribbean men and woman had been recruited to serve in the armed forces. When the Windrush stopped in Jamaica to pick up servicemen who were on leave, many of their former comrades decided to make the trip in order to join the RAF.
The Imperial War Museum holds items relating to the role of servicemen and women from several Commonwealth countries. These include posters aimed at persuading men to join the war, and ones showing troops of different races standing united. There is also a film explaining the West Indians’ war effort to the British people.
Address: Imperial War Museum, Duxford
British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Bristol
This museum looks at the continuing impact of the British Empire and the Commonwealth. It covers maritime, military and technological triumphs of the empire but also examines issues such as racism, economic exploitation and slavery.
The galleries use a mix of objects, costume, film, photographs and sound recordings to allow people – whatever their faith or background – to make sense of who they are and where they come from.
One of the permanent galleries touches on immigration to Britain since the 1940s, and highlights the legacy of the empire in today’s multiracial society.
Address: Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol
Geffrye Museum, London
People’s living rooms offer a fascinating glimpse of particular periods in history. This museum reveals how the insides of English homes have changed over the centuries, from the heavy oak furniture and panelling of the 1600s, to today’s funky “living spaces”.
The front room from the period after the second world war demonstrates what styles would have been fashionable when the Windrush arrived, and gives an idea of the difference in design and popular culture between the Caribbean and England.
Address: Kingsland Road, Shoreditch
Museum of London
The museum’s permanent galleries show how London has developed from an ancient waste ground with hardly any residents to the cosmopolitan city it is today.
The 18th Century London Gallery shows how the city was enriched by new immigrant communities and by new fashions in clothing, music, shopping and theatre.
The World City 1789-1914 Gallery illustrates how London became the world’s first metropolis. Within just over a century, the city’s population increased seven-fold. Hundreds of artefacts, film-clips, and sound archives bring this fascinating period to life.
Today London is home to millions, but you can peek into the lives of just a few of them with ‘London’s Voices’, a virtual collection of spoken histories on the museum’s website. The collected stories explore and celebrate the capital’s great diversity through the voices, memories and opinions of Londoners.
The Museum of London has also contributed more than 1,000 images and 60 oral histories to Moving Here, a virtual project that explores and records why Caribbean, Irish, Jewish and South Asian communities came to England, what their experiences were, and what they continue to be.
Address: Museum of London, London Wall
Black Cultural Archives
The BCA was established as an educational charity in 1981 by a group of educationalists, writers and other interested individuals.
It collects and preserves documents about the history and culture of black people in Britain, and makes these resources widely available.
Through a major programme of outreach and education, cataloguing, research and exhibitions, the BCA hopes to establish the first national museum of black history in Britain.
Address: Black Cultural Archives, 1 Othello Close, Kennington
