International Slavery Museum

About

The International Slavery Museum, located on the third floor of the Merseyside Maritime Museum at Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock, confronts the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade with honesty and depth. Opened in 2007 to mark both the bicentenary of Britain’s abolition of the slave trade and UNESCO’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, it explores the cultures of West Africa before enslavement, the brutal realities of the Middle Passage, and the fight for freedom and human rights. Exhibits combine historic artefacts, personal testimonies, and powerful artworks to reveal the human stories behind global commerce and exploitation. The museum also addresses contemporary slavery, racism, and discrimination, linking past injustices to present-day challenges. Through education programmes, community partnerships, and thought‑provoking temporary exhibitions, the International Slavery Museum serves as a place of remembrance, dialogue, and action, ensuring these histories remain central to Liverpool’s identity and the wider world’s conscience.

Liverpool United Kingdom

Location

The International Slavery Museum is located on the third floor of the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool's Albert Dock, postcode L3 4AX. Situated in the historic docklands area, the museum lies close to the Museum of Liverpool, Tate Liverpool, and the iconic waterfront ‘Three Graces’ buildings. Visitors can enjoy the rich cultural and historic surroundings with stunning views of the River Mersey. The Albert Dock complex offers a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, and bars, making the museum part of a lively cultural quarter within easy walking distance of Liverpool city centre and major transport hubs.