community/cultural
-, 1800
1 Windrush Square, Brixton, SW2 1EF
Located in a Grade II listed Georgian building, Black Cultural Archives collects and preserves materials that redress the historical balance and representation of people of African and Caribbean descent in Britain. Our archive now houses one of the most comprehensive collections documenting the cultural heritage of Black Britain.
Brixton
Brixton
We have plenty of seating throughout, so visitors can sit down if they need to, and easily catch up with the rest of the group again.
Black Cultural Archives is the home of Black British History. We use our mission to collect, preserve and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK and to inspire and give strength to individuals, communities and society. This tour of our site gives audiences an overview of the historical context in which we were founded, as well as the specific mission of our founders, including the iconic Len Garrison. After the tour, enjoy free entry to our current exhibition Over a Barrel: Windrush Children, Tragedy and Triumph celebrating the incredible journeys of children who travelled from the Caribbean to the UK during the Windrush era.
We will take you into the beating heart of our building and organisation: the archive store itself, where thousands of unique and irreplaceable items are safely stored and brought up to our library when requested by researchers. You will be able to see our oldest item dating back 2000 years, as well as other rare items and photographs and a mystery object!
Guided tour
offices, architectural practice, community/cultural, mixed use, restaurant/bar
The Department Store is an award winning refurbishment of a dilapidated Edwardian building in Brixton, completed by Squire and Partners in 2017. The design was informed by the layers of history and existing fabric of the heritage building.
Squire & Partners, 2017
