Dyrham House: Unveiling the Colonial Past

A painting in Dyrham House, a grand mansion nestled in the picturesque landscapes of southwest England, captures a mesmerizing panoramic view of the bustling port of Bridgetown, Barbados. The scene is adorned with lush sugar plantations gracefully dotting the hillside, painting a vivid picture of the colonial era’s opulence and exploitation.

Stepping into another room of Dyrham House, visitors are met with two striking carved figures that demand attention. These figures depict kneeling Black men, their stoic faces carrying a weight of history. With scallop shells held high above their heads, these men are not just bound by chains at their ankles and neck but also by the shackles of a dark past.

These poignant works of art once belonged to William Blathwayt, a prominent figure who held ownership of Dyrham House during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Blathwayt’s role as Britain’s auditor general of plantation revenues intertwined his legacy with the profits reaped from the colonies, weaving a complex narrative of wealth and exploitation.

However, delving into the historical narrative of a place like Dyrham House is not without its controversies. The National Trust, a revered charity entrusted with the preservation of Britain’s historic homes, faced a tumultuous backlash after unveiling revamped displays that spotlighted the deep-rooted connections between its properties and the dark shadows of colonialism and slavery.

The Trust’s bold initiative sparked outrage among certain factions, with right-wing columnists and academics accusing the organization of being “woke” and painting an “anti-British” portrayal of history. This dissent swiftly snowballed into a heated campaign aimed at reversing the changes and erasing the uncomfortable truths that lay embedded within the walls of these historic estates.

This ongoing battle, reminiscent of the contentious debates surrounding Confederate monuments in the United States, has unfolded over three tumultuous years across social media platforms and the pages of right-wing newspapers in Britain.