Robert Geffrye Statue
Museum of the Home – Position on the future of the statue of Sir Robert Geffrye in front of the Museum - Thursday, 11 November 2021
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The Museum of the Home strives to be a welcoming place for all. We feel that the statue of Robert Geffrye on the front of the Museum’s buildings does not promote the sense of belonging that is so important for our visitors, and fundamental to the Museum’s values.
We have been listening to many views and considering all options concerning the display of the Geffrye statue.
We believe there is potential to retain the statue on site but in an alternative and less prominent space, where we can better tell the full story of the history of the buildings and Robert Geffrye’s life, including his involvement in transatlantic slavery.
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As a Grade I listed building, there is legislation that the Museum must take into account in making any decision. The Museum will work closely with its stakeholders as anticipated additional guidelines are issued by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on effective decisions concerning heritage, as well as the process around Listed Building consent.
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www.museumofthehome.org.uk/what-we-do/our-story/the-statue-of-sir-robert-geffrye/
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Article
Impact of the Geffrye statue on the Stay Home Stories project.
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Resources
Newspaper articles, letters, reports, statements and legal positions.
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Presentation to Trustees
Addressing the impact of the statue of Sir Robert Geffrye on the museum's work.
Artist in Residence response
In this film clip Alaa Alsaraji, artist in residence for Our Home Our Stories, describes how she has addressed the concerns of the community researchers, other Stay Home Stories staff and herself about the presence of the statue of Sir Robert Geffrye at the front of the Museum.
Our Home Our Stories is a new artist commission at the Museum of the Home. It draws on the Museum of the Home’s Stay Home collection where members of the public shared their experience of home during the pandemic, through responses to a questionnaire, audio and video recordings.
