Liverpool's St George's Hall Charitable Trust Unveils Free Exhibition Honouring Mary Seacole
St George's Hall Charitable Trust has announced the launch of a free public exhibition that celebrates the life and enduring legacy of Mary Seacole (1805–1881). Seacole was a pioneering nurse, healer, and humanitarian whose remarkable courage and compassion significantly altered the course of medical history. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity for the public to engage with this important historical figure.
Exhibition Details and Artistic Insights
The exhibition will be open from February 6 until February 28, operating from Monday to Saturday between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Visitors are invited to explore a captivating series of maquettes, which are early sculptural studies created during the development phase of a permanent marble statue of Mary Seacole. This statue is destined to become the first statue of a black woman ever installed in the Great Hall of St George's Hall.
These maquettes provide a rare and fascinating glimpse into the intricate artistic process behind a major public artwork. They reveal the thoughtful considerations and creative steps involved as Liverpool prepares to honour one of history's most extraordinary and influential women.
Part of the Mary Seacole Statue Campaign
This exhibition forms an integral part of the broader Mary Seacole Statue Campaign, which is led by St George's Hall Charitable Trust and has received full endorsement from the Mary Seacole Trust. The campaign's primary aim is to install a permanent statue of Mary Seacole within the Great Hall. Once completed, it will stand proudly alongside the existing statue of Catherine 'Kitty' Wilkinson, which was the first monument to a historic woman placed in the Hall back in 2012.
This initiative underscores the trust's ongoing and dedicated commitment to increasing the visibility and recognition of women's achievements within St George's Hall. Alongside its vital work in safeguarding the building's historic assets—such as the restoration of the Minton tiles and the Willis organ—the trust is actively pursuing new statues that celebrate pioneering women, ensuring their powerful stories are both recognised and remembered for generations to come.
Statements and Historical Significance
Claire Dove OBE, chair of St George's Hall Charitable Trust, commented on the significance of the event, stating: "Our trust is proud to launch an event featuring Mary Seacole, who was voted the Greatest Black Briton in a BBC poll. Known for her work on the front line of the Crimean War, she was highly regarded by the soldiers she cared for and embodies the determination and resilience we hope to inspire in children and young people."
She further emphasised: "The installation of a Mary Seacole statue reflects our commitment to representing women in public spaces. With this addition, St George's Hall will become the first civic building in the country to feature statues of two women, and the first to honour a black woman. Please support us in making history by donating to help us fulfil this goal."
The exhibition is completely free and open to all members of the public, offering visitors a chance to engage directly with the early stages of this historic and groundbreaking project. The trust has highlighted that all contributions to the Mary Seacole Statue Campaign, regardless of size, will play a crucial role in helping to bring this important tribute to life.
