International Slavery Museum

About the museum

The International Slavery Museum opened on 23 August 2007, the international day for remembering the slave trade and its abolition, and it marked 200 years since the Slave Trade Act of 1807. It grew out of the slavery displays at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, where a dedicated Transatlantic Slavery gallery had opened in 1994 after campaigning by local people, including Dorothy Kuya. The museum took over space on the third floor of the same building at the Royal Albert Dock and doubled the area given to the subject.

Its galleries explore life in West Africa, enslavement and the Middle Passage, and resistance to slavery, and the museum also looks at the legacies of slavery today, including racism and modern forms of slavery. Its collections cover transatlantic slavery, the African diaspora, modern slavery and racist memorabilia, and the museum works with community groups and activists.

The museum closed to the public in January 2025 for essential maintenance and a major redevelopment, which is part of the Waterfront Transformation Project and depends on funding. National Museums Liverpool has said that the museum will reopen with a new learning space in 2029. Until then it offers online stories and resources and school workshops that come to schools.

Highlights

• Galleries on life in West Africa, enslavement and resistance
• Collections on transatlantic slavery, the African diaspora and modern slavery
• Online stories on objects such as the print Revolt on the Amistad by Jacob Lawrence
• Work with community groups and researchers on the legacies of slavery

Founded

2007

Operated by

National Museums Liverpool

Visitors per year

approx. 396,877 (2019)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to National Museums Liverpool museums is normally free with donations welcome; the museum is currently closed.

Accessibility

The International Slavery Museum is closed for redevelopment and is planned to reopen in 2029, subject to funding.

Kids & families

The International Slavery Museum is closed for redevelopment and is planned to reopen in 2029, subject to funding.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the Royal Albert Dock, in the same building as the Merseyside Maritime Museum. It is closed to visitors.

Amenities & dining

The International Slavery Museum is closed for redevelopment and is planned to reopen in 2029, subject to funding.

Events & venue rental

The International Slavery Museum is closed for redevelopment and is planned to reopen in 2029, subject to funding.

Plan your visit