Manchester, a city synonymous with the Industrial Revolution, is turning a critical eye on its own past with a new exhibition that delves into the role transatlantic slavery played in shaping its history.

Developed by the Science and Industry Museum in conjunction with The Guardian, this exhibition aims to illuminate the profound connections between the city's economic ascent and the grim realities of the slave trade.

For the first time, the museum is placing these links at the heart of a major exhibit, acknowledging the contributions of enslaved African people to Manchester's rise as the world's first industrial city.

This collaborative project, in partnership with the Scott Trust Legacies of Enslavement programme, engages with African-descendant and diaspora communities to present new research and perspectives.

Sally MacDonald, the director of the Science and Industry Museum, emphasized the exhibition's dual focus on both resilience and exploitation, portraying a complex narrative of identity and creativity shaped by the harsh legacies of slavery.

The exhibition is set to open in early 2027 within the museum's special exhibitions gallery, promising a year's run and subsequent permanent displays, along with educational programs tailored for schools and city-wide events.

As MacDonald stated, the exhibition will present an inclusive history of a city recognized for its radical ideas, re-examining Manchester's growth as an industrial powerhouse reliant on a textile industry intertwined with colonialism and slavery.

Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of Guardian News & Media, revealed this initiative as a cornerstone of their restorative justice programme.

This program was launched to address the historical ties between The Guardian's 19th-century founders and transatlantic slavery, rooted in Manchester's significant cotton industry.

Viner's announcement at an event alongside Joshi Herrmann, founder of the Mill, highlighted how crucial community collaboration will be in shaping this narrative over the next two years.

The exhibition, seated in the historical context of Liverpool Road station—once a hub for cotton traded through enslaved labor—seeks to foster a deeper understanding of how enslavement impacts Black communities today.

By extending beyond the museum's current exhibits, this project aspires to nurture awareness, shedding light on the complex past while challenging present perceptions shaped by the legacies of slavery.

Viner reiterated that the commitment to acknowledging these historical ties is fundamental, stating, 'A fundamental part of our restorative justice work in response is focused on the region and our aim is to build greater awareness and a deeper understanding of the city’s historical links to transatlantic enslavement.' As Manchester continues to grapple with its past, this exhibition stands as a pivotal moment for reflection, dialogue, and education, inviting the public to engage with history from multiple perspectives while confronting the enduring impacts of slavery on contemporary society.