What the heck is a lek?
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
A showcase display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery focusing on the little-known and extraordinary story of John Brown, who escaped enslavement in the USA and lived in Dorchester during the 1860s.
Home » Our work » Highlights » The hidden history of John Brown
The project idea stemmed from a newspaper article on The British Newspaper Archive, featuring John Brown, the ‘American Botanist’. The story captured our attention when we realised, he had lived and worked in Dorchester, even giving talks a couple of doors down the road from the museum. He seemed an important part of Dorset’s history, yet his story so little known and previously entirely unrecorded in Dorset Museum’s collections.
Initial research into John Brown was conducted to see if there was a potential project to share his story.
Public responses:
We set up a feedback box alongside the display, so that people could share their thoughts and reflections, especially given the emotionally challenging nature of the story.
Here are a few of the notes we received:
“Really great little display, so interesting to read about the experience of a man who lived locally. Not only does it help us understand the wider picture, but it is fascinating to hear about his life here. I love the emphasis on his constant fight for justice. Really well curated small exhibition.”
“We specifically came to the museum just to see this exhibit. Thank you for making this display. It was excellent, informative and very helpful to learn about.”
“Fascinating amount of information in such a little display.”
“Very interesting – thank you. The timeline is well presented”.
“I loved it”.
Jordan Cole, student at Bath Spa University who curated the display said:
“Researching John Brown’s strength and courage in escaping slavery and starting a new life here in Dorchester has been an amazing experience and I hope that this exhibition gives people the same opportunity I have in learning about his journey”.
Alongside this, we are also undergoing discussions around how we might be able to incorporate John Brown’s story more permanently in our galleries.
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Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!