The Rum Story facts for kids
The Rum Story is a cool visitor attraction and museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England. It tells the exciting story of the rum trade and how rum is made. You can find it in old trading shops and warehouses that date all the way back to 1785!
The Rum Story first opened its doors in May 2000. It received special funding from the National Lottery. In 2007, it was even voted Cumbria Tourism's "Small Visitor Attraction" of the year!
Contents
The Jefferson Family and Trade
The Jefferson family were important wine merchants in Whitehaven. They imported wine and spirits for over 200 years. Their family story is a big part of what The Rum Story explores.
Connections to Plantations
Brothers Henry and Robert Jefferson had business interests in two large estates in Antigua. These estates used many enslaved people to grow sugar cane. Sugar cane was a key ingredient for making rum. Other Jefferson family members also had connections to places like the Bahamas and Jamaica. This shows how the rum trade was linked to a difficult part of history involving forced labor.
Telling the Full Story
Museums often update their exhibits to share the most complete and accurate history. In 2025, The Rum Story announced plans to update its displays. These new exhibits will highlight Whitehaven's connections to the slave trade. For a long time, this part of history was not fully explained.
Learning from the Past
The museum is working with historians and a group called Anti-Racist Cumbria. They want to make sure the new exhibits are very accurate. This project helps people understand how ports like Whitehaven were involved in the slave trade. It also shows the lasting effects this history has had on many people. Understanding all parts of history, even the hard ones, helps us learn and grow. This important update is being supported by money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
See also
- List of museums in Cumbria
- List of food and beverage museums
External links
