In time for Black History Month, the Natural History Museum’s acclaimed Explorer’s Programme is inviting families to celebrate Black natural historians of the past, present and future. On Sunday 8th October, the Museum will host a day of free events and activities for all ages, highlighting the historical contributions Black communities have made to natural history.
Explorers Family Festival: Black Natural History promises visitors an enriching afternoon of bespoke tours and activities from Museum educators and scientists about their trailblazing work at the Museum and across the environmental sector. Enjoy an exclusive sneak peek behind the scenes of the Spirit collection with Senior Curator of reptiles Patrick Campell, focusing on specimens from the African and Caribbean regions. Learn how to make your own body butter or learn traditional weaving techniques in a collaborative loom using Caribbean and African materials. Hear from leading environmentalists about their mission to achieve climate justice and, for the younger years, explore the history of dinosaurs in Africa or perfect your computer and coding skills in the fun and free AfroDino workshops.
Throughout the day, you will hear about the different ways that Black communities shaped our knowledge of natural history, especially Black women. One offer not to miss will be the Black Natural History and Minerals Gallery tours led by Miranda Lowe CBE, Principal Curator and Museum scientist, who will also feature in a four-part YouTube miniseries releasing in tandem with the event as part of the Museum’s programme of activity for Black History Month. In Untold stories | Black Natural History, Lowe will explore the contributions of Black historians, figures and communities to the Museum’s collections. The series will air on the Natural History Museum’s YouTube channel every Friday at 11:00 throughout October.
Attendees of all ages can enjoy the wide plethora of activities available through the Explorers Family Festival, which invites various communities to gather and explore their relationship with the study of our environment, natural history and the wider Black diaspora.
Nuzhat Tabassum, Explorers Programme Project Officer at the Natural History Museum, says: “Our understanding of natural history is built on the knowledge of Indigenous people and the Black diaspora. While we collectively strive to ensure this is always acknowledged throughout the year, Black natural historians across the country are excited to come together on 8th October for the next iteration of the Explorers Family Festival to celebrate the contributions Black communities have made from the past, present, and will continue to do so in the future!
Activities for The Explorer’s Family Festival: Black Natural History from the Natural History Museum will run on Sunday 8th October 2023. Spaces for tours and creative workshops are limited – to reserve spaces or to see the full itinerary, visit www.nhm.ac.uk/events/explorers-family-festival-black-natural-history
