Whose Heritage is it anyway? Managing changing historic interpretations 3

Two further webinars (13 and 20 January 2022) looking at how to respond to the changing emphasis and appropriateness of cultural icons, and contested heritage.

This webinar will look at how to respond to the changing emphasis and appropriateness of cultural icons, in the context of Black Lives Matter and other movements.

Since the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol in 2020, there has been far greater debate about how we assess historical figures celebrated in the public realm or with place names. Re-appraising the messages given by local icons, dedications or memorials in historic cities, towns and villages can involve far wider audiences, and help to protect or highlight more of our built heritage if legacies and hidden stories are better understood.

Given the Government’s required approach of ‘retain and explain’ for contested heritage, many local councils, institutions, and civic and historical societies are reviewing local icons and associations in a more political context. This reappraisal also has the potential to create new opportunities for greater heritage appreciation: allowing new or hidden heritage stories to come to the fore, and making history more relevant to contemporary life.

The new impetus given to preparing updated Local Lists since the Planning White Paper is another example of how extra consideration can be given to local heritage assets – in terms of planning decisions and celebrating social history.

Our speakers will look at:

• Assessing and valuing ‘new’ or hidden heritage
• Recognising the range of historic assets valuable to local communities
• Researching historic legacies and associations
• Assessing these legacies and starting discussions about contested heritage
• Managing conflicting views about historic icons and their future
• Rediscovering overlooked heritage assets and the stories behind them.

Speakers on Thursday 13th January 2022 12-2pm:

• Welcome, Louise Thomas, HTVF Director
• Introduction, Chair: Helen Ensor, Associate Director, Donald Insall Associates
• Assessing and valuing ‘new’ heritage, Deborah Mays, Head of Listing, Historic England
• British waterways and the Transatlantic Slave Trade: Underexplored Connections, Jodie Matthews, Honorary Research Fellow, Canal and River Trust
• The Ayahs Home Project: Uncovering Lost Histories, Farhanah Mamoojee, Founder, Ayahs Home Project.

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