New display at Riverside Museum celebrates the extraordinary life of Dr Gerry Hughes
A new display at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum tells the extraordinary story of Dr Gerry Hughes, from a young boy who struggled with basic literacy to becoming the first Deaf sailor to solo circumnavigate the globe.
A Quest and a Legacy explores Dr Hughes’ journey as a teacher, pioneering sailor and advocate for the Deaf community, and the role that education, British Sign Language (BSL), family support and self-belief played in shaping his life.
Dr Gerry Hughes said: “Sign language is the root of everything I am, and everything I have achieved.”
Believed to be the first museum display of its kind in the UK, A Quest and a Legacy has been curated by Dr Hughes alongside members of the Deaf community with BSL at the centre of the visitor experience.
As a deaf person, Dr Hughes has faced discrimination throughout his life. His story explores the barriers he overcame and his determination to fulfil his ambitions, making him a symbol of hope and achievement to the global Deaf community and to anyone who has encountered obstacles in their life.
Dr Gerry Hughes continued: “Thank you to Riverside Museum for opening the door and raising awareness about deafness and the importance of sign language. This display shows that Glasgow has pride in its deaf community.
“For years and years, deaf people struggled to have their language and culture recognised. Deaf children visit museums and see lots of interesting objects. Sometimes they have access to translations in BSL. Now they have a display that is about a deaf person, just like them.
“I hope visitors enjoy this display. I especially hope that anyone who is facing barriers or challenges in their lives will see that success can be achieved. You need to be determined and work hard, but you can achieve your dreams.”
Among the first to visit A Quest and a Legacy were Deaf pupils from St Roch’s Secondary School’s Department of Deaf Education. They were invited to meet Dr Hughes and celebrate the opening of the display and the importance of BSL in creating opportunities for Deaf people.
Rachel Leckie, Learning and Access Curator at Glasgow Life, said: “We’re delighted to see A Quest and a Legacy open at Riverside Museum and to share Gerry’s remarkable adventures with our visitors. It is a powerful reminder of what can be possible when people have the right support, opportunities and access to education.
“Working with Gerry and members of Glasgow’s Deaf community to create the display has been a hugely valuable experience and has helped us think differently about how we make our museums welcoming and inclusive for everyone. We hope Gerry’s story will inspire visitors to think about what is possible when barriers are challenged and people are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”
Katrina Cuthill, Deputy Head Teacher, Head of Deaf Department at St Roch’s Secondary School added: “For our pupils, seeing someone like Gerry celebrated in a museum is incredibly powerful. They can see a Deaf person who has faced challenges, followed his dreams and achieved something extraordinary. It shows them that being Deaf doesn’t have to limit what they can achieve, and that their language, their identity and their stories deserve to be seen and celebrated too.”
Visitors will see objects from different periods in Dr Hughes life, from his school days to his pioneering sailing career.
His school jotter, including an essay entitled Why Speech is Important, reveals the beliefs Gerry was taught as a child about the importance of speaking and being understood by hearing people, over curriculum teaching. His school reports repeatedly highlight his difficulties with literacy and the need to make himself understood.
Alongside these are objects that tell of Dr Hughes determination to become a teacher, including a newspaper article celebrating his graduation after he overcame many challenges on the road to becoming qualified and Scotland’s first Deaf teacher in more than 100 years.
One of the most personal objects in the display is a copy of Salute to Sir Francis, on which a young Gerry Hughes, wrote: “One day I will sail like Sir Francis.” It marked the beginning of a dream that would culminate in him becoming the first profoundly deaf man to solo circumnavigate the globe via the Five Great Capes.
Objects from that expedition, including his OSTAR Half Crown memento from the 2005 Single-Handed Transatlantic Race, tell how that childhood ambition became reality. A barometer and clock that once belonged to Gerry’s father also feature in the display, adding a personal connection to the journey.
A Quest and a Legacy also explores themes of isolation, achievement and self-confidence, while highlighting the importance of language, communication and having the opportunity to fulfil your potential.
The display has been created by and for Deaf people, with Dr Hughes working alongside members of the community to shape its content. All interpretation is available in BSL through screens, with text captions making the display accessible to hearing visitors too.
Two films form part of the display, bringing different aspects of Gerry’s extraordinary story to life. The first follows his solo circumnavigation of the globe, capturing the adventures, challenges and risks he faced along the way.
The second traces Gerry’s educational journey, from being denied the opportunity to properly learn to read and write to graduating and going on to fight to become Scotland’s first Deaf teacher in over a century. It explores the people who supported and influenced him, as well as the impact he has had on others throughout his life.
A member of Glasgow’s Deaf community worked closely with Dr Hughes to help shape the content and final edit of the films.
A Quest and a Legacy is now open, it is on the first floor of Riverside Museum, Glasgow which is free to enter.