Curiosity & Colonialism - Museum Tour by Uncomfortable Oxford™ | La Vacanza Travel

Curiosity & Colonialism - Museum Tour by Uncomfortable Oxford™

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Destination: United Kingdom, England, Oxford
from
25.23

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  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Oxford
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

Join us on an immersive and thought-provoking museum tour. Delving into the intricate layers of history behind the exhibits, this tour will provide insight into the imperial origins of scientific collections and disciplines, while contemplating the lasting impacts of colonialism worldwide.

Through critical discussions, it will explore how Oxford University and its museums were shaped in by imperialism in the name of curiosity, and how knowledge and science facilitated imperial power. Through this tour, we will ask the fundamental question - is curiosity always good?

The tour will explore both the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum, lasting 1.5hrs. The tour is fully accessible.

Tour recommended for children age 10 and up.

*Tour Itinerary:*
1 - Natural History Museum
2 - Pitt Rivers Museum

What Can You Expect?

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road South Kensington, London SW7 5BD England

The museum is the starting point for a number of colonial connections and will be the first stop on our tour.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Pitt Rivers Museum South Parks Road Suggested Time Taken 5 Adys, Oxford OX1 3PP England

Learn about the history of anthropology and the development of racialised categories for human societies.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Rhodes House, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RG England

We will stand outside the Rhodes Hoouse and discuss the impact of the Rhodes scholarship program on the university.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Oxford Martin School (University of Oxford), 34 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BD, UK

Stand outside the former Indian Intitute to learn about Oxford's role in educating imperial administrators and civil servants.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: New College, Holywell Street, Oxford OX1 3BN England

Explore the college connections to empire and how this fits into the larger networks of Oxford 'old boys' clubs.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Oxford Department of International Development, International Development, 3 Mansfield Rd, Oxford OX1 3TB, UK

Finish the tour with a discussion of 'decolonisation' and its challenges.

Duration: 15 minutes

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions
  • Uncomfortable Oxford™ Trained Guide

Exclusions

    Additional Info

    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Stroller accessible
    • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
    • Most travelers can participate
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

    Departure Point

    Departure Point

    Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW, UK


    Departure Time

    10:30 AM


    Return Details

    Oxford Martin School (University of Oxford), 34 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BD, UK

    Duration & Voucher Info

    Voucher info

    You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

    Duration

    1 hour 30 minutes

    Cancellation Policy

    User's Reviews

    Paul C

    13 Nov, 2022

    Thought-provoking and informative, this tour gives you a different perspective on the British Empire I'm particular, and on colonialism in general. If you want something a bit different from th le regular tour of the sights, this is for you

    Kathleen M

    01 Nov, 2022

    Ffion was our guide and she was excellent. We walked with her through Oxford’s natural history museum and the Pitt rivers museums at Oxford. Then we moved on to other sites around Oxford. She delivered a lot of information in an accessible fashion. A highlight was hearing the background on the Cecil Rhodes scholarship and problems with its diversity and also with Rhodes historical attitudes toward people of color. Highly recommend for a thoughtful assessment of the virtues and the racist shortcomings of an enterprise like Oxford linked with the British Empire.

    764anjalis

    27 Jul, 2022

    Devika was a knowledgeable and sensitive walk leader, ensuring the group stayed together and all contributed to the discussions. Terrific walking tour that I would recommend.

    sophia-brehmX

    22 Jul, 2022

    An excellent discussion-based tour that challenges your preconceptions of Oxford's past while also enabling you to appreciate the city's beauty through a walking tour format. Our guide was wonderful - knowledgable, engaging and well balanced between probing discussion but also respectfully facilitating discussion. The tour didn't feel like a lecture of either fact or opinion but was well mixed between revealing information and participant discussion. The discussions that are central to the tour are what really make the experience stand out as it really makes you engage with and think about what you are seeing, rather than just passively observing. I left feeling like my eyes had been opened and like I had a far deeper understanding of Oxford's true history, even as a lifelong resident of the city!

    ironk479

    28 Jun, 2022

    It never got too preachy, which is what I think many people are afraid of, specially when talking about these uncomfortable topics. It was always respectful, nice, and discussion based.

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