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The British Empire is a fraught topic. Most notorious for its overseas colonies in the Americas, India and large parts of the African continent, the tradition in British history has been to view the Empire as a positive force for advancement in colonised countries, as well as a symbol of Britain’s past domination. Yet much of our country’s imperial expansion across the globe was violent, destructive and self-interested, and the memories of this history in the countries subjected to British force are sometimes very different to the rose-tinted stories which have become part of the mainstream narrative.
To this day, the British Empire presents a challenging, contentious history, and one which has been under fresh scrutiny in recent years. Many historians disagree on the topic, and its sensitive nature can often render it difficult to engage with. The problem is aggravated by the fact that few students are given the opportunity to learn about the topic as part of their history education. Yet from its foundation, Empire has permeated virtually every aspect of historic life – interwoven into our landscape, homes and thoughts on both a national and highly localised level. It was an inescapable reality for the people of the past, the impact of which can still be felt in most parts of our present day.
Despite this, museums often avoid recognising the links to Empire in their collections due to its potential to divide audiences. Local history, especially, might seem worlds away from the imperial armies, merchant ships, and foreign power structures of the colonial landscape, giving many museums no incentive to delve deeper and uncover now hidden stories. Objects which would reveal everyday ties to Empire through their imagery, usage, or materials are therefore interpreted differently. As a consequence, the evidence of Empire is slowly washed away, and our view of history is distorted and incomplete.
Kirsten Mckenzie, 'Britain: Ruling the Waves'
Elmbridge Museum has over 40,000 diverse and remarkable objects in its collection. These range from Stone Age flints to Victorian textiles, Tudor tiles to contemporary art and photography. For over 100 years the museum has actively collected objects which tell the story of our borough, chiefly through donations, purchase and local excavations. In this project, which originally included an exhibition at Walton Library from 2020-21, we have started by taking just 20 of these objects, using the research and commentary of expert historians to look at them through the lens of the history of the British Empire. Each year, we publish a new list of items in our collections which reveal forgotten ties to the British Empire, and recognize these links more consistently across all our displays by using keywords and signage to highlight the objects with a connection to Britain’s imperial past.
Look around the heritage sector today and you will see many other museums engaging in similar work, from the pivotal Artist and Empire exhibition at Tate Britain in 2015 which contrasted historic art with contemporary interpretations, to the Empire Through the Lens community photography project at Bristol Museums in 2017, to the forthcoming Displays of Power: A Natural History of Empire exhibition at the Grant Museum of Zoology.
By beginning to reveal some of the links to Empire within our objects and our Borough, we are not providing a comprehensive history of this huge topic. But, by adding new interpretations and previously forgotten perspectives, museums can aid the vital first step towards making this part of our history accessible to everyone, enabling a more informed discussion and understanding of the British Empire’s impact at every level of society.
Elmbridge Museum’s Exhibitions & Interpretation Officer chats to Dr Alison Smith, Chief Curator at the National Portrait Gallery. Alison was formerly a curator at Tate Britain, and responsible for leading their hugely successful ‘Artist and Empire’ exhibition in 2015, which explored responses to the British Empire within British art.
This video includes discussion of the amazing objects used, the challenges that arose throughout the process, and thoughts on how museums can continue to explore hidden links to Empire in their collections in the future.
Discover more Curator's Talks
In this route you can discover many of the historic links to the British Empire across our local Elmbridge landscape – in places we still see, visit, and use every day. The perfect activity as a weekend drive, a cycle ride, or even split into smaller sections for a long walk.
Start the Elmbridge and Empire Tour
Fancy exploring Objects of Empire further?
We’ve picked out twenty titles which delve into this topic, from fiction to non-fiction, biography, kids novels and more – there’s something for everyone.
Find all of these brilliant books in your local Surrey Library branch!
Click through the pages here or download the booklist below.
Uncovering the stories and perspectives of the ten most prominent cities of the British Empire.
Category: General Overview
Highlighting Britain’s heavy involvement in the trade of enslaved people across the globe, and how this influenced British culture and domestic life.
Category: General Overview
‘Heavan’s Command’ is the first in a series of three fascinating books, tracking the progress of the British Empire from the reign of Queen Victoria.
Category: General Overview
A novel which highlights the self-interested, destructive nature of the British Empire’s presence in India.
Category: Britain’s effects on its colonies
This book successfully breaks through popular narratives about the British Empire’s decline across Africa, revealing its vi olent retreat from Kenya.
Category: Britain’s effects on its colonies
Taking a less traditional approach to the First World War, David Olusoga tells its story through the lens of the Empire.
Category: Britain’s effects on its colonies
Outlining, through an engaging and witty narrative, the remarkable ways in which Britain’s imperial past has affected – and still affects – life in Britain.
Category: The Empire’s effects on Britain
Published in 2020, this excellent title explores the often-forgotten resistance movements organised by the colonised against their British colonisers.
Category: Resistance to Empire
Exploring the fascinating stories of the forceful end of India’s British Raj, from the first-hand perspective of people who lived through it.
Category: Primary accounts
An eye-opening primary account of the women who played a role in everyday life in the British Raj, told through letters, memoirs and oral history interviews.
Category: Primary accounts
The remarkable true story of Isaac Fadoyebo, who ran away from his West African village at the age of 16 to join the British Army’s defence of the Empire in the Second World War.
Category: Biography
Partially based on true events, this incredible fictional story adds much insight into the potential feelings of the communities in India on the advent of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Category: Empire in fiction
This classic fiction novel was published in 1934, and is set in British Burma on the eve of the downfall of the British Empire in India.
Category: Empire in fiction
This interesting take on the British Empire explores its many aspects through the medium of food – from the meals which made their way to plates across the world to the global trade networks that got them there.
Category: Empire from new perspectives
An innovative new approach to the British Empire at its height, arguing that the experience of this global force was, if fact, chiefly characterized by boredom and monotony.
Category: Empire from new perspectives
Unveiling the incredible tale of Britain’s first spies, based at the outposts of Britain’s vast former Empire.
Category: Empire from new perspectives
Published to accompany the exhibition held at Tate Britain in 2015-16, this brilliant title brings together some of history’s top scholars to scrutinise objects and artworks linked to life under British rule.
Category: Empire through art
This thought-provoking book approaches the British Empire from a different angle – that of the image, using propaganda, paintings and records to illustrate its history.
Category: Empire through art
The incredible true story, since adapted into film, of Queen Victoria’s relationship with one of her closest confidants. This young Indian Muslim played a huge part during British India’s most turbulent years.
Category: Empire in film
This absorbing ‘Horrible Histories’ kids’ title builds up a great basis of knowledge on the history of the British Empire for those new to the topic, packed full of amazing facts and cartoon sketches.
Category: Introduction to Empire for kids
Tell us your thoughts!
Leave a comment about Objects of Empire here. We always love to hear your feedback!I just saw a fabulous talk by Amy for our Historical society. She showed me how to access this great website and particularly the Audio trail. brilliant website thanks for all the had work involved. Really love this.
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