Wilberforce House facts for kids
Wilberforce House is a special museum in Kingston upon Hull, England. It's part of the city's Museums Quarter. This historic house was the birthplace of William Wilberforce (1759–1833). He was a very important person who worked hard to end slavery across the British Empire.
Wilberforce House used to be a merchant's home, just like other old buildings nearby such as Blaydes House. It was located on the High Street and had easy access to the docks on the River Hull. Today, it's a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical site.
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About Wilberforce House
This house is now a museum that teaches visitors about the life and work of William Wilberforce, one of Hull's most famous people. The museum reopened on March 25, 2007. This was after a big renovation project that cost £1.6 million. The reopening was timed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Wilberforce's law that stopped the slave trade in the British Empire. This law was called the Slave Trade Act of 1807.
The Nelson Mandela Garden
The front garden of Wilberforce House is named after Nelson Mandela, another famous leader who fought for freedom. In this garden, you can see a statue of William Wilberforce. This statue was restored in 2011. It is also a very important historical item, listed as Grade II* on the National Heritage List for England.
The Wilberforce Institute
Next to the museum is a building called Oriel Chambers. This is home to the University of Hull's Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation. This institute does important research into slavery, both from the past and in modern times.
Other Collections
Wilberforce House also displays items from the East Yorkshire regimental collection. This collection shows the history of a local army regiment.
The museum had to close in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, the building was repaired, and the museum updated its exhibits. It welcomed visitors again in May 2023.
In Popular Culture
Wilberforce House has even appeared on TV! In the 2023 Netflix miniseries Bodies, Wilberforce House was used as the filming location for a fictional house called Harker House.
