Colonialism and historic slavery report | National Trust

Addressing our histories of colonialism and historic slavery

The National Trust cares for places and collections on behalf of the nation, and many have direct and indirect links to colonialism and historic slavery. We’ve released a report examining these connections as part of our broader commitment to ensure that these links are properly represented, shared and interpreted.

The buildings in our care reflect many different periods and a range of British and global histories – social, industrial, political and cultural. As a heritage charity, it’s our responsibility to make sure we are historically accurate and academically robust when we communicate about the places and collections in our care.

In this article:

• Introducing the report
• Read the full report
• Read our director’s blog
• Explore the histories of our relevant places
  and
• Colonialism and historic slavery report (PDF) 

See related:

• Britain’s Idyllic Country Houses Reveal a Darker History | The New Yorker
• Country houses and the British Empire, 1700–1930 (Studies in Imperialism, 116): Stephanie, Barczewski, Andrew Thompson, John M. MacKenzie 
  and
• Colonialism and historic slavery report (PDF)