Introducing the SKN Heritage Museum - a mobile Social History project

When Catherine Ross retired from full-time work 4 years ago, she wanted to do something that would start conversations and find commonalities between different groupings of people  This idea was the seed that led to Catherine founding the SKN Heritage Museum, which in the 4 years of its existence has certainly lived up to Catherine’s dream

The journey and impact of the SKN Heritage Museum was the subject of the latest inspirational talk given to members of Hucknall Rotary Club by Catherine Ross.  The museum itself is a museum without walls.  It is a mobile social history project featuring the contributions made by Caribbeans to British society especially Nottingham.   The first exhibition held by the museum was a ‘Suitcase’ exhibition entitled, “From Homeland to Motherland” and posed the question, “What would you bring?”  This exhibition proved highly popular and toured local libraries and schools.

Club members were shown some of the suitcase exhibition and learnt that the SKN Museum had also produced an award-winning film called ‘Nine Nights.’

‘Nine Nights’ explores the fascinating Caribbean tradition of Nine Nights, the time from a person's passing to their funeral. It's an uplifting, joyous, jubilant celebration of feasting, singing, dancing and playing games like dominoes, bringing together friends, family, neighbours and colleagues, more of a happy reunion than a sad occasion. As the film shows, a loved one's passing is one of the most social and celebratory events in a Caribbean's life, because it's a time to recognise and celebrate their life, achievements, times shared and what they've done for others. 

The most recent exhibition the museum ran was an edible exhibition which ran during December and included a selection of delicious Caribbean dishes, allowing visitors to taste first-hand how slavery in the 17^th and 18^th centuries shape Caribbean Christmas traditions, including food and drink.

Club president Kevin Rostance said, “Catherine Ross gave the club a most useful insightful and is to be commended for her enthusiasm in establishing the SKN Museum and including it in Nottingham’s rich cultural identity.”

Club President Kevin Rostance is pictured with Catherine Ross and some of the Suitcase Exhibition.