Pathfinders

Pathfinders – A Community Archaeology Project 

Pathfinder’s community archaeology project tells the stories of the communities, places, and events related to the early and mid-20th century British Caribbean experience.   This community archive project commemorates and celebrates the pioneering Pathfinders’ significant contribution to British culture.

Pathfinders is an archival monument of the past, present, and future stories, as told by the people for the people. This project will document authentic grassroots culturally nuanced stories. This enables people and communities to share authentic first-hand accounts of lived experiences that can enhance the prevailing historical narrative about post-war migration.

Thanks to the National Lottery Players

Pathfinders is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to fulfil our vision.

Vision

Pathfinders is an archival monument that will document authentic grassroots culturally nuanced stories. This enables people and communities to share authentic first-hand accounts of lived experiences that can enhance, or even challenge, dominant historical narratives.

Mission

  • Put Black British history into the wider cultural context
  • Increase public understanding of history, race, and migration to Britain across the decades
  • Highlight the stories of the Black British contribution to the UK and the broader post-war migration from across the Commonwealth and beyond that helped create the modern Britain that we share today


People Say"

"This Project has helped me to have hope again"

“The most surprising part of the project for me was the noticeable impact we’d made. I had previously been a cynic about the impact of art, but I now realise I just hadn’t been looking at the right art.”

Read the full story!

 
 

“There was an overwhelming amount of positivity, and many said we should take the project forward for further performances, so their children and grandchildren can witness and understand their stories.”

Beyond Windrush

Pathfinders time period: 1939 – 1971.  This timescale includes the official Windrush Generation period, 1948 – 1971. 

Plus, because the majority of the MV Empire Windrush passengers from the Caribbean were World War II heroes, Pathfinders also includes the World War II period, 1939 – 1945. 

Including these hero’s stories give a more comprehensive picture of the post-war migration story.

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