We are launching an exciting new project called ‘The Rum Story Re-Imagined’.
This new 12 month project has been made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players. It will be delivered by a partnership between Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners and local charity Anti Racist Cumbria.
The Rum Story visitor attraction tells the history of the Jefferson’s family business which involved rum, shipping and the trading and enslavement of African people.
The history of the Jefferson family sits alongside a wider history of Whitehaven as a town with an established shipbuilding past. This was able to happen due to wealth generated from local mining which was invested into the docks during the 1700s.
Whitehaven was one of the most important ports in the country, and this allowed some people in Whitehaven, such as the Jeffersons, to generate wealth through their involvement in the trading of enslaved African people.
Throughout the project, we’ll be looking at ways we can better tell the history of the Jeffersons, and of Whitehaven.
A key part of this project will be connecting with Whitehaven’s communities to reveal, and re-engage with this history together. Over the next 12 months, there will be several opportunities for people in Whitehaven to participate.
One of our first actions is to recruit a project manager. Their job will be to reach out to our communities and identify a ways for them to get involved.
To find out more about this project, visit the links below:
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, they aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
They help protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
They are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Visit heritagefund.org.uk for more information.
About Anti Racist Cumbria
Anti Racist Cumbria is a charity which is tackling and ending racism through action and education to create a forward-thinking and actively anti-racist Cumbria.
Visit antiracistcumbria.org for more information.
About Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners
Established in 1708, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners is a small not-for-profit organisation.
We are the custodians of Whitehaven Harbour and its environs. Our purpose is to safely manage, maintain and improve the harbour for the benefit of its users and the wider community.
We also own The Rum Story attraction, The Rum Story shop, the Jefferson’s brand and The Edge outdoor activity centre.
All revenue generated by Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners is reinvested back into Whitehaven Harbour.
Visit whitehavenhc.org.uk for more information.