7680 Suffragette Cities

2018 sees a hundred years since women won the vote. Historic England wants to mark this anniversary with a series of activities, from working with artists to encouraging people to walk in the footsteps of the pioneering women who fought so hard for female suffrage. We want to highlight, through new listing or relisting, the physical fabric that witnessed significant examples of protest, campaign or sabotage that paved the way for the democratic liberties we enjoy a century later, Our main focus may be London and Manchester but we will consider relevant instances elsewhere in England and include sites that will allow us to celebrate rural and working class movements and characters (suffragists and suffragettes).

We are seeking background research resulting in a list of suggested buildings associated with the suffrage movement and its history, which may then be considered for listing amendments and new listings. We are particularly keen to know about buildings that were the sites of sabotage, protest or destruction and are keen on the motif of broken windows. This is because the suffragettes focused much of their activity on buildings and windows, as part of their understanding of how closely linked the built environment is to power, protest and change. We are looking to tell a focused story of the way that protest was played out in and around many historic buildings that continue to exist around the country.