You might recognise some of the place names in Carriacou!

At one point in the late 1700s/early 1800s the tiny island of Carriacou provided nearly a quarter of the cotton for the Strutts’ mills.

Belper Pond in present-day Carriacou,
Anse La Roche Nature Reserve
Photo: INGRID LEWIS

The Derwent Valley was the cradle of the industrial revolution.

It played an important part in driving up demand for raw cotton around the world.

More and more plantations were set up. People were taken forcibly from Africa and enslaved to produce cotton for mills here in Belper and elsewhere.

Carriacou

Carriacou, a small island in the Caribbean, and Belper may seem worlds apart but they share an important connection.

Cotton grown in Carriacou by enslaved people taken from Africa was bought by Jedidiah Strutt for his cotton mill in Belper.

The Reconnection Partnership: Belper and Carriacou

This is a partnership between interested organisations and individuals in Belper and Carriacou.  It is founded on a shared willingness to engage thoughtfully and respectfully our connected history.

Aims

• To Explore and Share Interconnected Histories: To collaboratively research and interpret the historical links between Belper, and Carriacou, including the role of cotton and its wider social and economic impacts.
• To Foster Mutual Understanding and Respect: To create opportunities for open, balanced dialogue that acknowledges the past while recognising the present realities of both communities.
• To Build Lasting Community Connections: To establish sustainable relationships between Belper and Carriacou through cultural exchange, shared projects, and ongoing collaboration.
• To Encourage Youth Engagement and Legacy Building: To actively involve young people in both communities, ensuring that this partnership grows into a living, intergenerational connection.

Do you or your organisaton want to take part? Email DVMWHS@Derbyshire.gov.uk 

You can find a summary of the research into Global Cotton Connections here. 

You can also listen and watch Global Cotton Connections Voices to hear recordings of commemorative poetry and song, accounts of enslaved life on cotton plantations and reflections on the importance of the Global Cotton Connections project to the community, heritage and academic partners. Click here for “Voices of Global Cotton Connections”. 

Carriacou Museum

Before and After Hurricane Beryl

The museum was established in 1976

“It is remarkable that such a museum has arisen in such an isolated location with collections of such apparent significance” UNESCO

Fundraising for reconstruction

“Due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on July 1st, 2024, the Carriacou Museum is temporarily closed. The hurricane caused extensive damage to the building and its precious collection, leaving us with the challenge of restoring this beloved cultural landmark. The museum has long been a symbol of Carriacou’s rich history and heritage, and we are committed to rebuilding it to continue preserving and sharing the island’s unique stories.

We are reaching out  for support—every donation will bring us closer to reopening the museum’s doors. Your contribution will directly fund the reconstruction of the museum and help restore artifacts damaged in the storm. Thank you for standing with us as we work to revive this vital piece of Carriacou’s cultural legacy”. Carriacou Museum and Historical Society

Funds will go toward reconstructing the museum, incorporating modern technology for interactive exhibits, and ensuring the museum remains a vibrant educational resource for future generations. Every donation, large or small, helps us rebuild stronger and continue sharing our island’s unique heritage with the world.

DONATIONS

Look out for www.gofundme. Donations page coming live soon.