Are you interested in researching the history of St Albans’ Black communities? We’d love to hear from you at St Albans Museums– no previous research experience required!
The purpose of St Albans Museums’ Black History Research Group is to inform our knowledge and understanding of Black history connected to St Albans City and the wider Hertfordshire area. This is a long-term project intended to continually strengthen knowledge and information about Black history connected to the local area.
Last year we produced an award winning zine publication and exhibition of our research, which brought together the Black histories of Hertfordshire in one place for the first time: Our Stories; Tracing Black Histories in Hertfordshire.
Through 2026 we will be working on an oral history collection project, which will culminate in a public mural for Black History Month and this year's theme of 'Honouring our Communities'.
If you would like to join us, we would love to hear from you.
What’s in it for you?
- Three research training sessions a year (including a session on researching family history)
- Your research may be featured in museum projects
- Meet local people
- Become a part of a supportive group environment
Who are we looking for?
- All are welcome! No previous research experience required
- Attendance at a training or meeting once every two months and independent research (around 5 hours a month).
The image above shows a 1958 newspaper article with an image of Miss Marcelline Torrence and Mr Charles Elsworth Clarke on their wedding day in St Albans.
If you’d like to get involved, please email laura.lennard@stalbans.gov.uk
