The Harlow People project was part of an Essex-wide Diversity Festival, 'Everyone's Essex', which included activities, exhibitions, workshops, storytelling and community inter-cultural fairs. Essex Libraries, the Essex Record Office and some museums all participated in these events.
'Harlow People' created a 'living display' at Harlow Library beginning during the two days of Family Learning weekend in October 2003 and continuing for the next three months. The exhibition was supported by workshops at the museum. Visitors could add their 'story of moving to Harlow'. As a former New Town this is a very relevant subject to residents.
The Harlow Ethnic Minority Umbrella Group was consulted about the project and links were made with students studying ESAL (English as a Second or Additional Language) at local colleges. The partnerships formed during this project started a dialogue with the ethnic community. The Ethnic Minority Umbrella group was 'really pleased that you wanted to do something that involved us'. It has improved the way in which the museum and library is viewed in the community, and has opened up avenues for further consultation and improvement.
Both stories and artifacts were also donated or photographed for the museum's collection enabling the museum to reflect the cultural make-up of the town. For example, the museum collections now hold oral history, artifacts and photographs relating to the first Chinese restaurant in the New Town. Importantly the museum and library services have demonstrated their commitment to providing resources and events relevant to a culturally diverse community.
For further information, please contact Claire Hooper, Museum of Harlow.
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