Explore the untold stories of our local community.
Wed, 17 May 2017 13:00:00 BST
On Saturday 10 June the University of Huddersfield opens up to showcase its research projects and the work of local community groups and welcomes families to learn together about some of the unknown parts of our local history, Black History and the History of Mental Health Care.
‘Exploring Black History’ will look into the extensive and creative ways in which communities write their own histories. Writer and historian Onyeka is welcomed back after sharing his research on Black History at the event last year. This year he will be speaking about The Black Renaissance: How Africans shaped early modern Europe. Children are invited to get hands-on with vinyl and try out a 60s Dansette record player and have the opportunity to create an amazing vinyl craft. The day will end with a performance of ‘Meet the Crafts’ which tells the stories of ‘Fugitives from Slavery’ and other key African-American figures visiting Yorkshire.
“We need to think how we make Black History and Minority Ethnic History part of the national story.” Professor Paul Ward explained at the event in 2016.
Faith in Reform? Understanding Mental Health Care in the Past includes three interactive sessions offering a chance to get hands on with historical sources and resources:
- Find out more about the stories of Storthes Hall using its archives;
- explore the many uses of medical photographs;
- watch a performance in which a West Riding tax payer and a Staffordshire businessman argue about the value of building modern mental healthcare.
“Talking about mental health in itself is positively breaking down stigma.” Ruth Quinn from the Mental Health Museum told us in 2016. “Illustrating how things were like in the past really makes people think about what things are like now and how perhaps we should change”
Alongside these activities there will also be an opportunity to create your very own medieval family crest and find out more about the kinds of research being carried out by our postgraduate researchers in a 'PGR Show and Tell'.
Find out about the huge variety of projects being investigated by our team of historians at the University of Huddersfield, and by local community groups and museums at an exhibition which runs all day, in the foyer of our brand new Oastler Building.
History in Action Day
Saturday 10 June, 10.30am-3.00pm
Oastler Building
Book your tickets and find out more here.
