Discover the remarkable story of Dr Allan Glaisyer Minns, the pioneering doctor who became Mayor of Thetford and is recognised as Britain’s first Black mayor, in a special family learning event at Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life.
Taking place during Black History Month, Dr Minns and Victorian Thetford introduces home-educated children and their families to a fascinating chapter of local Black British history through costumed characters, museum objects and stories from Victorian and Edwardian Thetford.
Dr Minns’ story is particularly significant because it challenges the assumption that Black political participation and professional achievement in Britain are purely modern developments. His life places a Black doctor and civic leader firmly within the history of an East Anglian market town more than a century ago.
During the workshop, visitors will discover more about Minns’ work as a doctor at the Thetford Workhouse and explore the wider social world in which he lived and practised.
The event uses the museum setting to bring the period to life, allowing younger visitors to encounter history through people, places and experiences rather than dates alone.
It also provides an opportunity to consider what everyday life was like in Thetford during the Victorian and Edwardian periods and how the experiences of individual Black Britons can alter our understanding of local history.
For Black History Month, that local dimension is especially important. The history of Black Britain is often associated with major cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool or Bristol, but stories such as Dr Minns’ demonstrate that people of African heritage have also been part of communities across towns and counties throughout Britain.
Ancient House Museum is dedicated to telling the story of Thetford and the people who have shaped the town, making it an especially fitting place to explore Minns’ place within Norfolk history.
Running from 12:00pm until 3:00pm on Friday 9th October, the workshop has been created specifically for home-educated children and their families.
Dr Minns and Victorian Thetford is one of Norfolk’s most compelling Black History Month educational events for 2026, offering young people the chance to discover that an important milestone in Black British political history happened not in Westminster or a major city, but in Thetford.
More Norfolk Listings MORE
Michael Akadiri: Don’t Call Me Uncle!
Following two hit UK tours, multi-award-winning comedian and resident (junior) doctor Michael Akadiri brings his latest show Don’t…
Dr Minns and Victorian Thetford
Discover the remarkable story of Dr Allan Glaisyer Minns, the pioneering doctor who became Mayor of Thetford and…
Myles Sanko – I See My Light Tour
Internationally acclaimed British soul and jazz artist Myles Sanko comes to Norwich with his I See My Light…
R&B Lovers – 90s & 00s R&B Festival
Norwich turns back the clock to the golden era of contemporary R&B as R&B Lovers returns to Epic…
Sylvia
Sylvia tells the powerful and often overlooked story of Sylvia Pankhurst — a fearless, complex and determined figure…