Exhibition
An exhibition called 'Colonial Dyrham' was recently held in the main house exploring the these themes.
It looked at global connections, showcased some contemporary responses to these histories, through words, music, images and poetry, and created space for visitors to share their reflections.
It ran for a year from late 2020 and came as part of a National Trust partnership project with the University of Leicester called ‘Colonial Countryside’ which helped participants learn about the colonial connections of properties such as Dyrham Park.
Video poem ‘Litany for Two Boys at Dyrham Park’, written by Trinidadian poet Andre Bagoo in response to the stands of two enslaved figures in Dyrham's collection, was showcased and poems by Bristol schoolchildren who visited as part of the project were also on display.
Links to Jamaica were explored and there was space for visitors to reflect on history. Music created by enslaved Africans in Jamaica in the 1680s was played, recreated by the Musical Passage project. There was space for responses from partners and visitors.
The exhibiton was funded by the Colonial Countryside project through the University of Leicester supported by the Arts Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Reniassance One, Writing East Midlands and Peepal Tree Press.