Summary:

Trust for Records of Enslavement and Emancipation (TREE) partnered with Bath Preservation Trust to deliver a learning session for young people within the historic setting of Beckford’s Tower. The workshop introduced students aged 12 to 17 to rare nineteenth century documents from Jamaica and Tobago, enabling them to engage directly with the primary evidence of Britain’s role in enslavement and its legacies.

The Challenge:

Heritage sites often struggle to communicate the realities of enslavement to young audiences in a way that feels grounded and relatable. Many educational sessions rely on secondary summaries or textbook interpretations. Beckford’s Tower sought an approach that would connect learners with the material truth of the past while maintaining sensitivity toward difficult histories.

TREE’s Role:

TREE led a structured, evidence based workshop that allowed students to handle and analyse two original Caribbean documents. Matt Johnston guided participants through:

Reading historic handwriting and annotations
Understanding financial and administrative entries
Locating each document within the broader timeline of enslavement and emancipation
Reflecting on how these records shaped the lives of the people represented within them

JSD Photography documented the workshop, capturing images and video that support future learning and interpretation at Beckford’s Tower.

The Evidence:

Students worked directly with:

A Jamaica plantation document detailing labour arrangements and estate administration
A Tobago record describing tensions around policing and early post emancipation control

Both documents are part of the TREE family archive and form key components of TREE’s educational resources.

Outcomes and Impact:

The session created a powerful educational experience by using original evidence rather than abstract summaries. Participants reported deeper understanding and a stronger emotional connection to the material. Beckford’s Tower enhanced its learning offer, and TREE established a model for delivering evidence led engagement in heritage settings.

Next Steps:

TREE will continue to collaborate with Bath Preservation Trust and offer additional sessions for schools, youth groups and heritage partners seeking meaningful approaches to colonial history education.

Bringing original Caribbean documents into the classroom at Beckford’s Tower