Future plans

The next stage in the development of the International Slavery Museum will see it expand into the adjacent Martin Luther King Jr Building (formerly known as the Dock Traffic Office building).

The 'Freedom Live' project will see the Martin Luther King Jr building opening to the public. It will offer new spaces that complement the existing International Slavery Museum with new flexible displays for collections and exhibitions as well as community and educational areas.

This is the first stage of a longer term plan to link the  Martin Luther King Jr Building with the existing Slavery Museum via a glass walkway. This development work is subject to further funding.

"Since opening in 2007 the museum has grown in strength and influence. In order for us to keep momentum as a campaigning museum our aspiration is to expand and evolve.

By opening the Martin Luther King Jr Building to the public we hope to encourage more community involvement and engagement with collections, exhibitions and campaigns."
Dr Richard Benjamin, head of the International Slavery Museum.

Extending the museum

In May 2010 planning permission was granted for our exciting plans to extend the International Slavery Museum.

Currently the museum is contained within the Merseyside Maritime Museum and entered on the third floor. The new plans will see the museum have its own entrance at the Martin Luther King Jr Building  and a striking glass walkway will connect the two buildings.

As part of the expansion the Martin Luther King Jr Building will also house a new Education and Exhibition resource centre for the International Slavery Museum.

At present the Martin Luther King Jr building houses National Museums Liverpool staff. The Grade 1 listed building was built in 1848 and in recent years was the home of Granada TV.

The scheme has been designed by Liverpool architects Austin-Smith:Lord|, who are based in the Port of Liverpool Building.

Illustration of the planned glass walkway between the Martin Luther King Jr Building and International Slavery Museum displays in the Maritime Museum building

Education and Exhibition centre

The planned Education and Exhibition centre will be a state of the art resource including exhibition space, education and research facilities, a resource centre and community zones.

Not only will the centre offer facilities for those interested in both historical and contemporary aspects of slavery but it aims to contribute to greater understanding and informed debate about slavery and its many legacies. It will examine the cultural and social effects of the transatlantic slave trade, slavery and resistance on all societies involved.

The education and exhibition centre will enable the International Slavery Museum to become the world's leading museum of historic and contemporary slavery and related issues such as human rights and social justice. The centre will bring a further dimension to the interpretation of the history and legacies of the transatlantic slave trade - ensuring that the International Slavery Museum is seen nationally and internationally as a world-class and cutting edge visitor attraction.