Uncovering 1851

What would a group of local young adults in 2026 make of an event that happened in 1851?

The Great Exhibition was a hit event of the Victorian era and was visited by 6 million people, which was equivalent to roughly one third of the country at the time. It showcased over 100,000 exhibits from all around the world, and its huge profits and far-reaching legacy were used to establish South Kensington as a cultural hub.

To mark its 175th anniversary, the Young Producers are revisiting this event through the lens of decolonisation, exploring the often-overlooked stories of people and communities from the global majority whose labour, knowledge and cultures shaped the Great Exhibition, even though their voices and experiences were not recognised in 1851.

Uncovering 1851 is an interactive installation co-produced by Imperial's 2026 Young Producers cohort, researcher Christina Peake, and artists Chloé Rochefort and Sim Orme. It explores the forgotten stories of people, communities and cultures that shaped and contributed to British ingenuity and innovation, but were overlooked in at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Through shapes, textures and colours, Uncovering 1851 invites you to imagine travelling to the Great Exhibition alongside the millions of people that visited it. Then enter a space where you can uncover the voices and stories that were left untold by this landmark event, reflect on British Imperial history, how it still impacts our world today, and how we can challenge that heritage together.

Visitor information

This is a drop-in event best suited for young people. It takes place inside a zone for people ages 13–25.

The NextGen Zone has step-free access.

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