Hull History Centre

Hull History Centre
Country England
Type Public archive
Established 2010
Location Worship Street
Hull
HU2 8BG
Coordinates 53°44′53″N 0°20′11″W / 53.74795°N 0.33641°WCoordinates: 53°44′53″N 0°20′11″W / 53.74795°N 0.33641°W
Branch of County Archive Research Network
Website www.hullhistorycentre.org.uk

The Hull History Centre is an archive and local studies library in Hull, England, that houses the combined collections of both the Hull City Council and Hull University archives and local studies resources. This collaboration between Hull City Council, Hull University, and the Heritage Lottery Fund made Hull the first city in the UK to unite local council and university collections under one roof.[1]

Background

Before the creation of the Hull History Centre, Hull's archives were kept at three separate repositories: the University of Hull, the Local Studies Library, and the Hull City Archives. The partnership that led to the purpose-built history centre in Hull began nearly ten years ago, springing out of a desire to provide greater accessibility to, and better preservation facilities for, the archives. Plans began to develop between Hull City Council and the University of Hull, and ultimately the Heritage Lottery Fund made the dream a reality by providing the Hull History Centre with a £7.7 million grant,[2] the largest ever lottery grant for a UK archive project. Building for the centre began in late 2007 and on 25 January 2010, the Hull History Centre was finally opened to the public.[3]

The building itself was designed by architectural firm Pringle Richards Sharratt with the goals of providing a highly accessible and visible structure, as well as a focus of local pride. The design of the upper floor features an environmentally controlled repository while the ground level features public spaces adjoined by a linear arcade overlooking a new park.[4]

Collections

The Hull History Centre houses the combined archives of Hull City Council and the University of Hull, along with other various local studies resources. The collections include the standard books, volumes, and documents, as well as maps, paintings, pamphlets, photos, and film. If lined up end to end, the History Centre's collections would cross the local 2,220-metre long Humber Bridge four times.[3]

Main Collections

University Collections

The University Collections are made up of about 750,000 documents consisting of around 200 organisations, individuals, and families. The range includes:[5]

City Council Collections

The City Council Collections are made up of various records and documents of the city. The range includes documents relating to:[7]

Local Studies Collections

The Local Studies Collections are made up of approximately 150,000 items including books, printed items, large amounts of pamphlets and other material on vaious topics relating to Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. The range includes:[8]

Access to the Archives

The Hull History Centre offers various ways to access the archives. The online catalogue provides information on over 225,000 documents. The Centre also has a collection of newspapers, census records, and burial records available for viewing on microfilms.[9]

The History Centre also allows customers to view documents directly in the climate controlled searchroom. To view documents, customers must provide a County Archive Research Network (CARN) ticket. To obtain a CARN ticket, customers must bring a valid form of identification with their name and address. There is no charge to obtain a CARN ticket.

Customers can also borrow select items from the loan stock using a Hull Libraries library card. [10]

Other services

Hull History Centre also regularly offers a range of learning activities such as family events, adult learning courses, and school sessions. The Hull History Centre regularly updates their website with the upcoming events and activities offered.

Family events include storytelling, drama, arts and crafts, or other activities inspired by the archives of the History Centre. The adult learning courses offered vary from one day classes to five week courses, and explore family and local history. The centre's Education Officer works with local schools to create a programme of skills-based sessions that complement the national curriculum.[11]

Additionally, the Hull History Centre offers venue hire, photocopying services, and help and advice from a specialist staff. The Centre is also equipped with full conservation and preservation facilities and services for the collections in its care.[10]

Location

The Hull History Centre is located on Worship Street, just off of Freetown Way, only a few minutes walk from Queen's Gardens and City Hall. There is a small amount of parking, including disabled spaces, available in the adjoining pay and display car park.[10]

References

  1. "10,000 people visit Hull History Centre". This is Hull and East Riding. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  2. "Port to get £7.7m archive centre". BBC News Online (BBC). 30 July 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "£10 million Hull History Centre ready for opening as final archives arrive". Culture24. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  4. Hopkirk, Elizabeth (28 January 2010). "Hull History Centre opens | News | Building Design". Bdonline.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2012.(subscription required)
  5. Archives and Special Collections: An Introduction, The University of Hull, 2008.
  6. "The WB Yeadon London & North Eastern Railway Collection". Hull History Centre.
  7. Guide to the Kingston upon Hull Record Office: Part One, The City Record Office, Hull, 1990.
  8. Hull Local Studies: Guide to Resources, Hull Local Studies Library, 2006.
  9. "Planning your visit". Hull History Centre. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=221,575947&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
  11. "Learning". Hull History Centre. Retrieved 3 January 2012.

External links

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