Curator Tour: Ulster Emigration and Black History

Mark Black History Month with a thought-provoking curator-led tour at the Ulster American Folk Park, exploring the connections between Ulster emigration and the experiences of people of African descent in North America.

Led by Liam Corry, Curator of Emigration, the tour examines the often-overlooked stories that form part of the wider history of emigration from Ulster. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of how emigrants became connected to a complex transatlantic world in which trade, migration and slavery were closely intertwined.

The tour concludes at the Rogan House, one of the Folk Park's most significant exhibit buildings. The Rogan family emigrated from County Tyrone and established a plantation in Tennessee. 

According to census records, 71 people were enslaved by the Rogan family. Hear their story and see outlines of the types of cabins in which they would have lived.

Explore how Ulster settlers became enmeshed in a web of trade, with slavery at its centre.

Included with general admission to the Ulster American Folk Park, this tour offers a valuable opportunity to engage with challenging histories, consider different perspectives and discover the lasting impact of emigration on communities across the Atlantic. Visitors are welcome to explore the museum and outdoor exhibits before or after the tour.

Suitable for all ages, although the subject matter may be of particular interest to visitors aged 16 and over, this special event provides a unique insight into an important aspect of Ulster's shared heritage.