The Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington is inviting people to become involved in the second instalment of a museum-wide reinterpretation of its collections of artefacts connected to Africa.
Following the successful opening earlier this year of its East African displays – co-curated with its advisory group of community participants of African descent – the Museum’s collaborative approach will continue as it creates new presentations of art and artefacts of the Zulu people of Southern Africa.
Galleries which have previously included captions and text panels reflecting only the interests, experiences, knowledge and perspectives of the Museum’s founder, Victorian explorer and hunter, Percy Powell-Cotton (1866-1940), have been revitalised with fresh interpretation highlighting the objects themselves, their significance and the stories of their original owners and the communities to which they belonged.
Now, the Museum is seeking new members to join the Community Advisory Group, to help with the sensitive interpretation and display of its Zulu material.
When the project begins, in late-November, group members will work closely with the museum team and sector specialists, feeding directly into how artefacts and information are interpreted, displayed, and shared with the public.
Monthly meetings will take place at the museum and online, including expert-led workshops and discussions to help shape future displays and exhibitions. The Museum will cover expenses and provide a stipend for participation.
For more information, please contact: Madylene Beardmore, Head of Collections at [email protected]
In 1935, Percy Powell-Cotton visited South Africa, then known as Zululand, with his daughter Antoinette. While there, he collected hundreds of artefacts from the Zulu people, many of which were used in daily life and all of which show the craftsmanship and skill of the region.
The collection includes work by renowned 20th century sculptor, Hezekiel Ntuli (1912-1973). One of the first black artists in the KwaZulu-Natal province to be identifiable by his own name in a public art collection, Ntuli’s clay busts and animal figures were widely collected, often by tourists.
For the Zulu project, the Advisory Group sessions will be joined by Njabulo Chipangura, Assistant Professor of African Anthropology at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, where he specialises in museum anthropology and critical heritage studies. Formerly Curator of Anthropology at Manchester Museum, University of Manchester and Curator of Archaeology at the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, his work supports and promotes collaborative, community-based approaches in museums.
Madylene Beardmore, Head of Collections at the Powell-Cotton Museum, said: “This is an inspiring time to be part of the Museum and we are looking forward to welcoming new members to our group. Our collaborative approach to curating and presenting the collections is now the norm here. 4
“This is a sensitive refreshment of the Museum, resulting in enlightened commentary, more detailed object descriptions and the voices of many communities coming to the fore. The collections are vast and fascinating and continue to reveal new facets and levels of meaning and significance.”
Sarah Corn, CEO of the Powell-Cotton Trust, added: “As the Powell-Cotton Trust approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, we are deeply committed to ensuring that community voices continue to shape the Museum’s work. This is only the beginning – many projects are planned – and we are excited to be continuing our pioneering new series of collaborations. This is a meaningful opportunity for individuals who want to influence how museum collections and histories, particularly those connected to Africa and its diasporas, are represented and shared.”
Set within Quex Park in Birchington, Kent, the Powell-Cotton Museum presents natural history collections in historic dioramas, world material culture objects from Africa and Asia, as well as local archaeology from the Thanet coastline.
Visitors can explore the Museum’s gardens, including its Victorian Kitchen Garden and woodland walk, as well as the neighbouring Quex House, designed in 1816 by Thomas Hardwick and housing collections of decorative arts and furniture assembled over 200 years.
Opening hours: 11am-4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets: Adult £7.50, Concession £7, Children £6.50, Infants (3 and under) free. Powell-Cotton Museum Members: Free.
For more information and to book tickets please visit powell-cottonmuseum.org
“advisory group of community participants of African descent” WTF…? I guess it’s keep a bunch of migrants off the streets but I suspect it’ll be yet more demands to be embarrassed about being white . More virtue-signalling twaddle.
Zulu is one of my favourite films.
“Zulus, thousands of ’em!”
Interesting.
One does need to bear in mind the problems with both the veracity of oral histories and, “forgotten peoples”.
As for the former. Remember the late Prince Phillip’s two trips to Vanuatu and the legend about him that developed during the interim?
With regard to the latter… What pre-Bantu cultures are remembered along the Swahili Coast? What histories exist of the non-Asante tribes of modern day Ghana? How much Koh and San history exists since the Zulu impeys of Shaka spread across what is now South Africa?
It might be better to stick with the existing documentary records, rather than pander to advocates of political correctness (a phrase that came into existence in Russia following the Bolshevik Revolution. Meaning, toeing The Party Line). Never mind the feelings. Museums should focus upon facts alone!