Why there’s a 1960s living room re-created in the Harris

Take a seat in the 1960s living room of an Afro-Caribbean family home in Preston and hear their stories.

A new exhibition in the Harris is marking the Windrush generation and bringing the city’s black heritage to life.

Preston has a well-established Caribbean community and one of the UK’s longest-running annual carnivals.

Now the Harris has re-created that special place to retreat to from a harsh world, the front room. A place for parties, worship and somewhere to show off all your best things you worked hard to afford.

The Windrush exhibition also has a timeline of black British and Preston history along with an oral history of recordings and a film produced by Windrush Initiatives.

Founder Adrian Murrell said: “For this film we interviewed people ranging from the elders in our community who came here in the 1950s – to people like me who grew up in Preston as children 60s and 70s. It’s definitely a tough but honest look at what Preston was like if you are black. It’s great to see this film and the exhibition at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery.”

Also on display are six paintings by city artist Anita George.

Her parents came to Preston from Domenica in the 1950s and she grew up here.

Anita’s series is called Breakthrough and they are modelled on the 1980s Rubik’s cube and include the 54 portraits of black British artists that broke into the arts scene in the 1980s.

Cabinet member for culture and leisure at Preston City Council councillor Peter Kelly said: “I’m delighted that the story of Preston’s Windrush generation is being celebrated at the Harris.

“I’ve enjoyed attending the Windrush Festival myself over the years – and to see such a great programme of events linked to this exhibition here in the city centre is wonderful.”

The exhibition is free to attend and on until Sunday 25 November.

Here’s everything going on as part of Windrush

Black History: Researching your Family History
Sunday 28 October and Sunday 4 November
1.30-3.30pm

Would you like help in tracing your family’s history if they came to Britain from the Caribbean? Join Marjorie Morgan, a genealogist specialising in this subject for this two-part session. Free but booking required. Please come to both sessions.

Creative Writing: Starting your Windrush Story
Saturday 10 November and Saturday 24 November
1.30-3.30pm
Would you like to have a go at creative writing? Bring along family photos and mementos to this two-part session and writer Marjorie Morgan will guide you through finding your voice and building your story. Free but booking required. Please come to both sessions.

BSL Exhibition Tour
Wednesday 14 November
6pm
Join us for a highlights tour of all 3 of our autumn exhibitions. After the tour learn about the Harris’ partnership with Deafway including a new job opportunity. Refreshments provided. For people with hearing impairment but all welcome.

Windrush Painting Workshop
Saturday 17 November
1pm to 4pm
Join local artist Anita George for a painting workshop using organic materials including seeds, spices and flowers to create canvases inspired by the Caribbean Islands. Free but booking required.

Windrush Family Sunday: Music, Food and Fun
Sunday 18 November
12 – 2pm
All generations are welcome for an afternoon of family QT. DJ Isa Cole will play music, there’ll be food tasting and lots of family fun. It’s a great chance to explore the exhibition and share memories. Free, drop in.

Audio-Described Exhibition Tour
Wednesday 21 November
1pm meet café
Join us for a highlights tour of all 3 of our autumn exhibitions – including Preston Windrush’s Generation. Refreshments provided. For people with visual impairments but all welcome.

Have you been to see the Windrush exhibition? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below