Interview with the Author of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Two Visits to Bristol

The Yakima Baha’i community was excited to learn about the publication of a new book that builds on some uncharted Baha’i history compiled and researched by our dear friend Carole Lulham she agreed to an interview so we could learn a little more about the book; in addition to being an author Carole also serves on the local Spiritual Assembly for the Baha’i of Yakima, and participates in the Yakima local interfaith community.

Interview with Carole Lulham the Author of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Two Visits to Bristol 1911 & 1913

Cover of the book ‘Abdu’l-Baha Two Visits to Bristol

Where did you get the inspiration for the book?

Carole: “This is a research book – and the inspiration came from the fact that there were only a couple of photocopied sheets available from the Bristol Baha’i Community about these two visits.”

Did you collaborate with others?

Carole: The book is jointly researched with Siva Kalappadi, a Singaporean who became a Baha’i in the UK. We met at a Baha’i Summer School near Bristol, Siva was a mature student at Bristol University.

What was the most challenging part in writing the book?

Carole: “Thoroughly researching all Baha’i sources that made some reference to the visits. We wanted to be sure that ALL the information was collected into our book. Star of the West, a good resource, was not online when we started our research. Luckily, a National Spiritual Assembly member living near Bristol allowed us to access her library while away atNational Spiritual Assembly meetings!

Changes in our lives meant the project did not proceed as smoothly as wished. Though we had read that John Esslemont had taken more than 20 years to create ‘Baha’u’llah and the New Era’, so we were somewhat prepared for slowdowns or stoppages from time to time.”

What were some of the highlights?

Carole: “Whilst staying at the Guest House, ‘Abdul-Baha went around each room, promising that it would become a Centre for peace and rest for Pilgrims from east and west. We hoped that in some way we would be able to kindle interest in this Guest House coming into the ownership of the Baha’is. In 2016 we were thrilled when the National Spiritual Assembly of the UK announced that it had bought what was now an apartment, where ‘Abdu’l-Baha had stayed. (Probably now 9 or 10 apartments in this very large house, so at least a start in the fulfillment of this prophecy).

The Baha’i World Centre kindly supplied us with copies of all the pictures they had taken during these visits. But they were all dated for the 1911 visit. An eagle-eyed friend noticed that the creeper around the front door was longer on some pictures that on others, indicating they were taken during the 1913 visit! The World Centre was very grateful for this observation, to complete their records.

And we found several articles from the newspaper of the times that have not been printed elsewhere.”

Where is the book printed and available?

Carole: “The book is printed privately in the UK. It has been approved for publication by the Reviewing Board of the UK NSA. Carole has copies available at $5 each. Baha’i Books in the UK are also a distributor.”

Do you have any advice for others who might want to write a book similar to this?

Carole: “We are still in the early times of Baha’i history. We are encouraged to be scholarly. There are many opportunities for capturing early historical data not yet published elsewhere.”