Summary:

In September 2025 the Trust for Records of Enslavement and Emancipation (TREE) launched publicly at Dyrham Park, one of the National Trust’s most significant heritage sites in the South West. The event brought together original Caribbean documents, intergenerational storytelling and professional interpretation within a trusted national heritage setting. This case study outlines how TREE curated its launch, why National Trust support was crucial and how the event established TREE as a credible new organisation in the UK heritage landscape.

The Challenge:

As a new organisation, TREE needed a launch that would do more than introduce its name. It needed to demonstrate legitimacy. It needed to show that its archive was authentic, academically valuable and suitable for public engagement. It also needed to make clear that the narratives being shared were grounded in evidence, not abstraction.

A launch at a National Trust property provided the visibility and seriousness required for this first public step. Dyrham Park, with its documented colonial connections, was an ideal site for TREE’s first public presentation.

TREE’s Role:

TREE designed and delivered a complete interpretive experience for visitors. The curation included:

Seven framed original documents from Jamaica, Tobago, Grenada and St Lucia
Eight A2 interpretation panels explaining context, chronology and significance
A dedicated personal reflection panel linking TREE’s work to the Johnston family’s history
Guided discussions with visitors led by Matt and Sunday Johnston throughout the day

TREE produced all interpretation in house, ensuring clarity, accuracy and accessibility. Each panel was written to museum standard and printed professionally through Corsham Print. All documents were framed to conservation standard through Right Angle Framing.

National Trust staff supported the event by providing space, logistical access and public visibility. Their involvement positioned TREE within the wider national framework of heritage interpretation and demonstrated sector confidence in TREE’s early work.

The Evidence:

The artefacts displayed included:

The 1817 Culloden Estate Inventory (Tobago)
The 1814 Cardiff Plantation Appraisal (Jamaica)
The Grenada Gazette (1814)
The St Lucia Gazettes (1835)
The 1773 Tobago letter written by Alex Fraser

These items span 60 years of Caribbean history and show transitions from enslavement through early emancipation. Visitors were able to examine full size reproductions, alongside detailed context provided on the panels.

Outcomes and Impact:

The launch achieved all strategic goals and produced several long term benefits:

National Trust endorsement: The event demonstrated that heritage institutions trust TREE’s work, strengthening TREE’s position for future collaborations and exhibitions.
Public engagement: Visitors interacted deeply with the materials, spending extended periods at each panel and asking detailed questions.
Multi generational custodianship: Sunday’s active role reinforced TREE’s family heritage narrative and inspired younger attendees.
Professional perception: Feedback from National Trust staff emphasised TREE’s clarity, professionalism and evidence led approach.
Expanded partnerships: The success of this launch directly contributed to TREE’s subsequent engagements with Bath Abbey, Bath Preservation Trust, WSHC and other organisations.
Raised profile: The event helped establish TREE as a credible, serious new organisation long before grant funding or major press coverage.

This was not a symbolic launch. It was a demonstration that TREE could meaningfully contribute to the national conversation about Britain’s enslavement history.

Next Steps:

Following the success of the Dyrham Park launch, TREE will:

Prepare for a multi month exhibition at Bath Abbey in 2026
Continue working with National Trust teams on interpretation and evidence based research
Expand public engagement events
Develop the Ledger of Lives publication for December 2026 release
Build a full programme of case studies showcasing TREE’s work with partner organisations

TREE invites heritage sites, schools and researchers to contact the foundation for collaboration or archival support.

Independent Launch Coverage:

The launch of the TREE Foundation at Dyrham Park was independently documented by partners involved in delivering the event.

Corsham Print published a case study on supporting the production of exhibition and event materials for the launch, while Avantis Performance shared coverage of the event and its wider purpose in preserving and interpreting slavery-era records.

Launching TREE at Dyrham Park. A National Trust partnership introducing a new custodianship of Britain’s enslavement records