1. A Building with Black History at Its Core
The very home of the Archives, the former Molineux House, carries a story tied to one of Britain’s earliest known Black entrepreneurs. George Scipio Africanus was brought to Wolverhampton from Sierra Leone as a boy in the 1760s, living at Molineux House under the wealthy Molineux family. Though enslaved in childhood, he later gained his freedom, married, and built a life as a successful businessman in Nottingham.
Today, his name echoes through the building, reminding visitors that the Archives sit on ground where Black history has always been part of Wolverhampton’s story.
2. Recording the Windrush Generation
Step inside the Archives and you will find records, oral histories, and photographs documenting the arrival and settlement of the Windrush generation. From the 1950s onwards, thousands of Caribbean men and women came to Wolverhampton to work in factories, foundries, hospitals, and transport. They built communities, raised families, and transformed the cultural fabric of the city.
The Archives preserve parish registers, electoral rolls, housing records, and local newspapers that help trace these journeys—from early arrivals struggling to find homes and churches that would welcome them, to the growth of Black-led congregations and social clubs that became the backbone of the community.
3. Voices of Change
The Archives hold more than documents—they hold voices. Through oral history projects, the stories of African-Caribbean residents have been recorded: stories of arrival, discrimination, resilience, music, food, and faith. These accounts capture the lived experience of Wolverhampton’s Black community, ensuring future generations can hear their struggles and successes in their own words.
4. Preserving the Black Arts Movement
In the 1980s, Wolverhampton became the birthplace of the Black Arts Movement, led by artists like Eddie Chambers, Donald Rodney, Keith Piper, and Marlene Smith. Their exhibitions, photographs, and press coverage are now part of the archival collections, ensuring the creative rebellion that challenged racism and redefined British art is remembered.
5. A Growing Collection for Future Generations
Today, the Archives continue to collect material reflecting the life of Wolverhampton’s Black communities—community newsletters, photographs of cultural festivals, records of Black councillors and leaders like Mel Chevannes and Sandra Samuels, and even material connected to Windrush commemorations.
These records don’t just tell the story of individuals—they tell the story of Wolverhampton itself: a city shaped by migration, diversity, and cultural richness.
As You Stand Here
Looking up at the restored façade of the Archives, remember: inside these walls are not just yellowing papers and photographs. They are the memories of Black Wolverhampton—from the boy who once lived in Molineux House, to the families who arrived from the Caribbean with hope in their hearts, to the artists and activists who transformed the national stage.
The Archives make sure these stories are never forgotten.
