Throughout the 1950s, Boots were importing 100s of tons of a remarkable looking, exotic sounding tuber from South Africa to Nottingham – the Elephant’s Foot Yam. They were using this as an essential starting material for the production of cortisone, which had recently been discovered as a new ‘wonder drug’.

Join us for a hands-on workshop to uncover this story and its connection to indigenous knowledge, colonial plant-hunting, pharmaceutical drugs, and conservation, and explore recipes and records from the archive.

Through a practical activity, participants are invited to work directly with material from the archives – bringing these histories into dialogue with contemporary experiences of hormones and health.

Refreshments and yam-related snacks provided!

This workshop with Rebecca Beinart is organised by Céline Siani Djiakoua, resident artist at Bromley House Library for 2020, connecting to her research into the 19th century collection of travel books and autobiographies. Part of Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity.

Tickets - Booking essential
Book via Bromley House Library. Phone: 0115 947 3134| / Email: enquiries@bromleyhouse.org

£4 for Bromley House Library members / £5 for visitors
Free tickets available for people who are unwaged

Accessibility
Bromley House Library has no lift so this venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Boots Cortcosteroid Factory, Beeston (1950s). Image: Boots Archive.