He is the Blantyre-born missionary who went on to become one of world’s great explorers. Now, the David Livingstone Birthplace that celebrates his life and work is reopening after a £9.1 million revamp.
Located on the site of the former Blantyre Works Mill, on the banks of the River Clyde, the Birthplace includes a brand-new exhibition space in the historic Shuttle Row tenements where Livingstone was born and raised.
There’s also a newly-refurbished shop and café, children’s play park, and 11 hectares of free-to-access parkland, making a visit to the tourist attraction in South Lanarkshire a great day out for all the family.
This small, independent museum, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland, has been transformed into a world-class visitor attraction where visitors can see the 21st-century legacy of Livingstone’s story, told from multiple perspectives, and learn about the impact of European colonisation of Africa.
Livingstone (1813-1873) was a physician and Christian missionary with the London Missionary Society. From his humble beginnings working at the Blantyre Works Mill, he became a lifelong anti-slavery campaigner, abolitionist, and well-respected explorer in southern and central Africa.
He is considered to be of great international importance in terms of his contribution to science, exploration, faith and humanitarianism, and his writings provide a complex body of knowledge that is still being studied today.
For the first time, 50 objects of African origin highlighting both parts of southern and central African culture as well as colonial history will be on display, selected by Livingstone and African collections’ experts alongside other key items relating to life.
Visitors can view the book collection he used to educate himself as a young boy while working at the mill and the red shirt Livingstone is supposed to have been wearing when he met Stanley (“Dr Livingstone I presume?”).
Produced in partnership with the Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP), a video series featuring individuals connected to Livingstone will discuss his ongoing legacy as it relates to faith, to anti-racism, the story of Africa, and his impact on colonialism.
The museum also displays newly-restored Pilkington Jackson Tableaux sculptures, commissioned for its original opening in 1929 and created by British sculptor Charles d’Orville. Depicting eight scenes from Livingstone’s life, the stories of the individuals featured at the fringes of the depictions will come to life in a new display.
Scotland’s Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “David Livingstone remains a hugely significant figure to many people here in Scotland, in Africa and across the world. The extensive regeneration of his Birthplace museum ensures that the story of David Livingstone will resonate for 21st-century audiences.
Grant MacKenzie of the David Livingstone Birthplace said: “We are delighted to welcome visitors back to the David Livingstone Birthplace this summer to explore the life of David Livingstone. Through our reimagined galleries and programmes, visitors will be able to discover the many aspects of this world-famous adventurer and companion, and the untold stories of the extraordinary men and women who are instrumental to his legacy.”
www.david-livingstone-birthplace.org
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