Wilberforce House facts for kids
Wilberforce House is a special historic house museum in Kingston upon Hull, a city in England. It's part of the city's Museums Quarter. This house is famous because it was the birthplace of William Wilberforce (1759–1833). He was a very important person who worked hard to end slavery across the British Empire.
Like other old buildings on High Street, such as Blaydes House, Wilberforce House used to be a merchant's home. It had easy access to the docks on the River Hull. Today, it is a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historic place.
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What is Wilberforce House?
Wilberforce House is now a museum. It teaches visitors all about the life and work of William Wilberforce. He was one of Hull's most famous people. The museum was updated and reopened on March 25, 2007. This was just in time for the 200th anniversary of a very important law. This law, called the Slave Trade Act of 1807, made the slave trade illegal in the British Empire. The museum's update cost about £1.6 million.
The Nelson Mandela Garden
The front garden of Wilberforce House is named after Nelson Mandela. He was another famous person who fought for freedom and equality. In this garden, you can see a statue of William Wilberforce. This statue was restored in 2011, costing £10,000. It is also a very important historical item, listed as Grade II* by Historic England.
The Wilberforce Institute
Right next to the museum is a building called Oriel Chambers. This is home to the University of Hull's Wilberforce Institute. This institute studies slavery, both from the past and in modern times. It helps people understand how slavery has affected the world.
Other Collections at the Museum
The museum also has a collection from the East Yorkshire Regiment. This part of the museum shows items and stories related to this local army regiment.
Recent History of the Museum
In 2020, Wilberforce House had to close for a while because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, the museum took the chance to make some important repairs. They also updated what they offer to visitors. The building welcomed the public back in May 2023.
