A Terraced House in 1978
Curated with Michael McMillan
Designed in the late 1960s, the De Beauvoir Estate in Hackney aimed to accommodate all needs with high-rise and mid-rise flats, as well terraced houses like this one, centred around shops and communal areas. It was part of a long-running housing initiative which resulted in nearly 6.5 million council homes by the late 1970s.
Background
The 'Second Generation'
There were radical shifts in Black British society in the 1970s and 1980s as the children of Windrush generation parents formed influential cultural and political movements of identity and resistance. Music played a pivotal role in many of these movements, and genres such as reggae crossed over into mainstream popularity.
Decline and growth
The 1970s are seen as a time of turmoil and decline, but the decade also brought new experiences that would have been unimaginable to previous generations. Foreign holidays were no longer a luxury for only the rich and standards of living were increasing.
The radical front room
More than just a space to entertain guests and proudly display your belongings, the front room became a natural hub of political discussion and social organising. Many important Black British organisations began as conversations in the front room.
Emerging technologies
Advances in computing in the 1970s allowed for cheaper and smaller devices designed to be used in the home. While early computers in the decade were suitable only for hobbyists, the introduction of video game consoles revolutionised home entertainment.
Personal stories
Michael H
"You knew the things in the sitting room were special things, and that you mustn't touch the doilies, and you had to be careful... I remember my dad coming home and sitting with us to watch the telly and watched the Muhammad Ali fight."
Derek J
"Food was always around when people came. If people came around, whatever time they came, food was always on offer... My mum always combined English food with Caribbean food, it was a mixture of potatoes, yams, greens."
What's happening
The evening has grown cold in Dalston so Edd has lit the paraffin heater which provides warmth and noxious fumes in equal measure. Valerie is using the opportunity to heat her straightening comb, so her mum can help her get ready for a big date tonight.
The McMillan family have all gathered around the television for the premiere of Empire Road, the first British soap opera with a predominately black cast and crew. Michael, who has been allowed to stay up late for the occasion, is excited to see families and homes like his own represented on TV.
Things to look out for
Crochet Doilies
Crochet was taught to young women in the Caribbean by Christian missionaries. The pieces displayed in the room belonged to Michael’s Mum, Letha, and family friends Cynthia and Linda, who, like many Caribbean migrant women, made pieces to supplement their income.
Plastic in the Home
By the 1970s, many of the objects used in the home such as telephones, radios, toys and ornaments were made from plastic. Seen by many as the material of the future, plastic was celebrated for its low cost and endless uses, and little concern was paid to its environmental impact until the end of the century.
Filled to the Brim
Class and ethnicity play an important role in the design and content of this home. Front rooms in the homes of many Black Caribbean families were filled with objects and colourful patterns drawn from a tropical palette, a style distinct from English interiors of the time.
Looking for more?
Come and immerse yourself in the rooms, and discover the personal stories and social history behind them, at the Museum.