A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today (24 November 2023) between the National Windrush Museum (NWM) and Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) at the House of Lords.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agrees a collaboration between NMW and RMG. Working with leading experts and museum curators, the project will enable the museum to tell untold stories, bring the Windrush and Caribbean Diaspora communities into the National Maritime Museum (NMM) and share a pivotal British maritime history which is not currently communicated through the collections of NMM. The project aims to empower British communities and Caribbean settlers to find out about and celebrate their histories, sharing the influences of the Windrush generation and their cultural influences on Britain.
Activity outlined in the MOU include the development of new programmes for schools and young people and collaborative research and digital media initiatives.
The signing of the MOU coincides with the 75th anniversary year of the arrival of the Empire Windrush - an event that marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of migration and diversity in the UK.
Dr. Les Johnson, the founder of the National Windrush Museum, said, ‘This partnership represents not just a collaboration but a significant opportunity to advance the National Windrush Museum mission sharing the stories of the Windrush generation and their descendants. At the heart of the National Windrush Museum's mission lies a deep connection to documenting stories of resilience, pioneers, achievements, and invaluable contributions to the UK's social fabric. This canvas is both exciting and valuable as it commissions work to reinterpret these historical narratives in the context of modern life.’
Paddy Rodgers, CEO of Royal Museums Greenwich added, ‘It is a privilege to be able to sign this document and I look forward to a successful relationship with the National Windrush Museum.’
NWM and RMG will work together with an overarching purpose to share expertise to help promote and preserve the legacy of the Windrush generation.
For more information, please email press@rmg.co.uk
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Notes to Editors
The National Maritime Museum holds the world’s largest maritime collection telling stories of Britain’s relationship with the sea.
The National Maritime Museum is part of Royal Museums Greenwich which also incorporates the 17th-century Queen’s House, Royal Observatory Greenwich and the famous clipper ship Cutty Sark. This unique collection of museums and heritage buildings form a key part of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a major centre of education and research. The mission of Royal Museums Greenwich is to enrich people’s understanding of the sea, the exploration of space, and Britain's role in world history. For more information, visit www.rmg.co.uk
National Windrush Museum (NWM):
The National Windrush Museum is a cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and contributions of the Windrush generation and their descendants to the United Kingdom. NWM's mission is to educate, inform, and inspire the public about the rich heritage of the Windrush community, fostering a deeper understanding of the social and cultural fabric of British society. NWM is committed to engaging diverse public engagement through exhibitions, research, collections, archives, and educational programs.