Bradford Park Excavation Uncovers 1904 Exhibition Somali Village, Artifacts

Archaeologists from the University of Bradford have uncovered remnants of the 1904 City of Bradford Exhibition in Lister Park, including the foundations of a temporary concert hall and a recreated Somali village where 57 people from East Africa lived and performed traditional activities. The exhibition was a significant industrial and cultural event with colonial undertones, attracting over two million visitors and featuring attractions like a gravity railway and water chute. Finds such as a pre-exhibition glass bottle of HP brown sauce and various artifacts offer time markers and insights into this lost festival. The research highlights the complex legacy of the Somali villagers, who were paid performers whose participation reflects both agency and problematic colonial contexts. Meanwhile, museums like Cambridge’s Polar Museum and the University of Cambridge’s affiliated collections continue to safeguard vast historical and scientific objects, balancing conservation efforts with limited public access. Additionally, a recent appraisal event in Orange County revealed valuable historical items including firearms, clocks, and autographed Stetson hats, while a new exhibition at Hinckley & District Museum celebrates the knitting industry and local history through interactive displays and volunteer-led programming.