In a remarkable archaeological discovery, a team from the University of Bradford has unearthed remnants of the 1904 City of Bradford Exhibition in Lister Park. Led by Prof Chris Gaffney and Dr Ben Jennings, the excavation has revealed the foundations of a temporary concert hall and a recreated African village, shedding light on a largely forgotten chapter of Bradford’s industrial and cultural history.
The City of Bradford Exhibition, which took place in 1904, was a grand event that attracted over two million visitors. It marked the opening of Cartwright Hall and was a testament to Bradford’s status as an industrial powerhouse. Despite its significance, the exhibition had faded into obscurity—until now.
Unearthing the Past
Prof Chris Gaffney describes the excavation as a journey into “a lost period in the history of the city of Bradford.” The dig has not only uncovered structural remnants but also artifacts such as a glass bottle of Garton’s HP brown sauce, which predates the exhibition and serves as a “time marker” for the event.
These discoveries are part of a broader effort by the University of Bradford to celebrate the city’s heritage as part of the Bradford 2025 City of Culture year. The project, titled Uncovering the Bradford 1904 Exhibition, is a collaboration with Prof Fozia Bora from the University of Leeds and the Somali Village charity. Together, they aim to digitize and preserve materials related to the exhibition, including photographs, postcards, and other memorabilia.
A Glimpse Into the Past
The 1904 exhibition was a spectacle of its time, featuring displays such as a gravity railway and a water chute on the park’s lake. These events were popular during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, akin to the famous Great Exhibition in London in 1851. They showcased industrial and cultural achievements, often with a colonial focus.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Bradford exhibition was the Somali village, where 57 individuals from the Horn of Africa were brought to live and work. They constructed huts and demonstrated cultural activities like dancing and archery, offering visitors a glimpse into their way of life. Prof Gaffney notes that while the villagers were paid for their participation, the portrayal would be considered “problematic” by today’s standards.
“People were contracted and paid to be in the Somali village and you had to pay extra to see them. There’s a lot of agency in there, and I think although we do have to view it in terms of this colonial view, it is by uncovering more of the evidence that we’ll be able to understand more about this story.” – Prof Chris Gaffney
Preserving History for the Future
As the excavation continues, archaeologists remain hopeful about uncovering more artifacts that will provide further insights into this fascinating chapter of Bradford’s history. The ultimate goal is to create digital reconstructions of the exhibition’s key features, allowing the public to experience the event in a new way.
Prof Gaffney emphasizes the importance of this project: “We didn’t really have anything apart from just one or two archives. Now, we are able to consider a larger research strategy for investigating the exhibition as a whole, but also there’s the possibility of talking to the museums and art galleries in Bradford to try and work out how the story can also be told in terms of Cartwright Hall and its beginnings in Bradford.”
The findings from the dig are not just about uncovering the past but also about connecting it to the present and future. As part of the Bradford 2025 City of Culture celebrations, these efforts aim to engage the community and highlight the city’s rich cultural tapestry.
With ongoing research and collaboration, the story of the 1904 City of Bradford Exhibition continues to unfold, offering new perspectives on a pivotal moment in the city’s history.
