Imagine stepping into a world of history, royalty, and exile. At Fairfield House in Bath, we are creating a special museum dedicated to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, the last Emperor of Ethiopia. This museum will tell the story of his time in Britain, offering a unique glimpse into the life of this remarkable figure.
We are thrilled to partner with Bath Spa University to ensure that the museum meets the highest professional standards. Our aim is to create a fitting tribute outside of Ethiopia to Emperor Haile Selassie’s journey, his struggles, and his triumphs.
A Window into History
The museum will be a treasure trove for visitors from all over the world. It will allow them to delve into the challenging times when the Ethiopian royal family and government were forced into exile. But it will also highlight the triumphant return of the Emperor to Britain in 1954, where he was greeted as a celebrated visitor and once again found solace at Fairfield House.
The museum promises to be a majestic and enriching experience, adding another layer of historical significance to the already vibrant city of Bath.
A Collection Fit for an Emperor
Our goal is to build a collection that reflects the Emperor’s life and legacy in Bath. We aim to gather, preserve, and display items that belonged to him during his time in the city. These items will help to tell his story, showcase his international importance, and connect visitors to the unique history of Fairfield House.
A Growing Collection, a Shared History
We are fortunate to have received many historical items, either bequeathed or loaned to us over the years. These objects offer a tangible connection to the Emperor’s life and experiences. We are working diligently to ensure they are properly cared for, registered, and presented so they can inspire and educate generations to come.
We currently display a growing collection in the museum area. Highlights include a portrait of the Emperor painted during his exile, his medals and orders, Ethiopian traditional artwork depicting the union of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and other fascinating objects.
Join Us in Preserving History
We are always searching for new items to add to our collection. Do you have an object that you believe would be a meaningful addition to our museum? We would love to hear from you!
It is important to understand that our museum space is limited. We can only accept items that are suitable for display and that enhance our understanding of the Emperor’s life and time in Bath. We are incredibly selective in what we accept, striving to build a collection that is both comprehensive and meaningful.
Items We Seek
We are particularly interested in the following:
- Correspondence: Letters, Christmas cards, postcards, and envelopes sent or received by Haile Selassie in Bath.
- Itineraries: Records of travel plans used by or relating to Haile Selassie, his family, and retinue while in Bath.
- Items sold by the family: Imperial silver, as long as it can be proven to have been used by the family in Bath and later sold in Bath.
- Personal items: Stationary, briefcases, items of clothing used by the household in Bath.
- The household’s bike: The bicycle used by the family during their time in Bath.
- His Majesty’s stamp book: It is believed that Haile Selassie collected stamps from letters he received and gave them to a young boy in Bath.
- Gifts: Items given by Haile Selassie and his family to locals in Bath and the UK.
- The Emperor’s bed and bedroom furniture: Sold at auction in the 1940s.
- Items used at Fairfield House: Dining table and other items currently held in storage by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
- Items from the 1940s auction: Objects purchased from Fairfield House during the auction.
- Items used by servants in Bath: Objects used by the servants who worked at Fairfield House.
- Records of servants’ time at Fairfield House: Oral or written accounts of their experiences.
- Eyewitness accounts: Diaries and journal entries from individuals who knew Haile Selassie in Bath.
- Items relating to the imperial family and retinue: Objects related to the time spent at Fairfield House by figures like Blatten-Geta Heruy Welde Sellassie (the Emperor’s physician) and political figures such as Leronzo Taezaz.
- Original copies of Ethiopian newspapers: The Ethiopia Times and New Times.
- Original copies of Bath Chronicle articles: Articles mentioning Haile Selassie’s time in Bath.
What We Do Not Collect
We are unable to accept the following items:
- Figurines: Except for those relating to Italian soldiers and the Battle of Adwa.
- Maps: Unless depicting battle lines during the Italian invasion.
- Children’s school textbooks or workbooks: Except for books from Bath children detailing their learning about Haile Selassie during or shortly after the exile period, or textbooks belonging to members of the Imperial family while in the UK.
- Resources for learning Amharic: Please contact the Fairfield House Library for these objects.
- Items related to Ethiopian art, architecture, and history in general: Please contact the Fairfield House Library for these items.
- Photocopies of newspaper cuttings: If the original is already in our possession.
- Books and magazines: Unless they have significant historical value, such as copies of The Ethiopia Observer.
- Contemporary art items related to Haile Selassie and his family: Please contact the Fairfield House Tafari Art Gallery for these objects.
- Items belonging to the Royal family of Ethiopia: This includes Imperial silver not used during the family’s time in Bath.
- Items relating to Haile Selassie and his family’s time in Ethiopia: We focus on their time in Bath.
- Items of major religious significance.
For more details on our collection development policies, please refer to our full Collections Development Policy, including our Acquisitions Policy and Disposals Policy.
Follow us on social media to see recently acquired objects and learn more about our collection.
Do you have a story about Emperor Haile Selassie and his household’s time in Bath? Share your experiences with us through our Testimonies Project at [email protected].
To offer a donation, please use our online donation form.
If you are unable to use the online form, you can write to us. Please include the following information in your letter:
- Your full name and address
- Your correspondence address (physical or email)
- Are you responsible for the donation or are you acting on someone’s behalf? If so, who?
- A brief description of the item you are offering
- Does it fit into one of the categories described above? If so, which category?
- Do you / the person you are donating on behalf of have full legal ownership of the item?
- Do you know the provenance of the object (i.e. where it came from)? Please detail its provenance briefly.
Thank you for your interest in our museum. We appreciate your support in preserving the legacy of Emperor Haile Selassie I and sharing his story with the world.
