When HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks on 22 June 1948, it brought one of the largest groups of British Caribbean migrants to the UK.

The Windrush generation transformed Britain’s cultural landscape through art, music and other forms of creative expression.

More than 75 years after the Windrush’s arrival at Tilbury, discover some of the responses to this historical event that have been displayed at Royal Museums Greenwich.

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Caribbean commemorations

Created by digital artist and graphic designer, Kareen Cox, this bold installation celebrates the Windrush generation and their contributions to British society and culture.

Kareen was one of five artists commissioned by Royal Mail to create designs for a special collection of postage stamps, to mark the 75th anniversary of Empire Windrush’s arrival in Britain. In her illustrations, smartly dressed passengers disembark from a ship, and a bustling market scene showcases Caribbean produce.

Kareen worked with The Collective Makers, Royal Museums Greenwich’s Practitioners in Residence, to turn her designs into a large-scale artwork. The installation was on display in the National Maritime Museum in 2023.

Home Home

Bringing together moving images, poetry and archival footage, Home Home explores the journeys of the Windrush generation and their connection to the sea.

The film was made by new media artist, Emily Alice Mitchell, and touches on themes including ancestry, identity, collective memory and grief. The work is dedicated to Emily’s late grandmother, who arrived in London from Trinidad in 1967.

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Research guide: Ships, Ports & Passengers

The Empire Windrush was just one of many ships that transported Caribbean passengers to the UK.

In this resource, writer and researcher Veronica Mckenzie uncovers the stories of these other lesser-known vessels – and the people who sailed on them.

What’s On

Astronomy Photographer of the Year
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Astronomy Photographer of the Year

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Women of the RNLI
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Women of the RNLI

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2 March – 1 December 2024
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SENsory Sailors

Come along and enjoy this brand new sensory play session for children under 13 years with special educational needs
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The case for dark matter
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The case for dark matter

A Flamsteed Astronomy Society lecture by Dr Matthew Bothwell
Monday 14 October 2024 | Doors at 6.30pm, event starts at 7.15pm
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LGBTQ+ Family Network
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LGBTQ+ Family Network

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23 November | 11am-1pm
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Trafalgar Day Members' tour
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Trafalgar Day Members' tour

Enjoy an exclusive tour of the Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery at the National Maritime Museum with curator Dr Katherine Gazzard
Monday 21 October 2024 | 2pm-2.45pm and 3pm-3.45pm (SOLD OUT)
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October half term at the National Maritime Museum
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October half term at the National Maritime Museum

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26 October - 3 November 2024
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Safe Harbour
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Safe Harbour

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Monthly: Next date 28 Sept 2024 | 12.30pm - 2.30pm
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The Ghosts of Greenwich - storytelling session for young people
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The Ghosts of Greenwich - storytelling session for young people

Hear some spooky stories from around Greenwich and learn how to craft your own tales in this Halloween workshop
Friday 1 November 2024 | 11am-midday, 1.30pm-2.30pm and 3pm-4pm
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BSL Tour: Amazing Animals in Maritime History
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BSL Tour: Amazing Animals in Maritime History

Join historian and guide John Wilson at the National Maritime Museum, for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour about remarkable animals
Saturday 15 February 2025 | 1.15pm-2.15pm
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Images courtesy of Kareen Cox