About the museum

• What to see
• What to do
• Planning your visit

 

About the International Slavery Museum

At International Slavery Museum you'll find out about the millions of people, both in the past and today, who have been taken into slavery. In particular we focus on those who were part of the transatlantic slave trade between about 1500 and 1865. Liverpool was a major slaving port - about 1.5 million enslaved Africans were carried by its ships - so it is fitting that the International Slavery Museum is in Liverpool. Entry is free.

What to see in International Slavery Museum

The museum is on the third floor of the Merseyside Maritime Museum building. The museum is divided into three:

• Life in West Africa - what was going on in Africa at the time of the trade? Who were the people involved?
• Enslavement and the Middle Passage - learn about the brutality and trauma suffered by enslaved Africans on the voyage across the Atlantic, and then the oppression of their lives on plantations in the Americas
• Legacies of slavery - this section is about the continuing fight for freedom and equality. It looks at the modern day impact of transatlantic slavery, such as racism and discrimination.

Photograph © Redman Design/International Slavery Museum

What to do at International Slavery Museum

As well as the permanent displays throughout the museum we also have special events and exhibitions. These are all FREE.

Exhibitions and events

There is a changing programme of temporary exhibitions and displays in the museum. We also regularly hold talks, workshops, children's events and other activities.

You can find out what is available on the day you visit on the What's on page. Look out also for our programme of special events for Slavery Remembrance Day on 23 August and Black History Month in October each year.

Planning your visit

The Your visit page should tell you all you need to know about getting to the museum, opening times, facilities etc.