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Explore York Archive

@yorkarchive.bsky.social
791 followers 505 following 366 posts

Making over 850 years of the city of York's history accessible to all. Keep up to date with our latest projects and activities here. Website: exploreyork.org.uk/archives Blog: citymakinghistory.org

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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
With York Food Festival taking over the city, we're showcasing some of the fascinating ways local cuisine, and the historic methods used to prepare it, are reflected in our archives.
Aged handwritten recipe page in dark cursive ink with ingredients and a "Minc'd Pyes" heading.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Next week the reading room will be closed as part of our Setting the Record Straight project. To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below. exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting…
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Next week the reading room will be closed as part of our Setting the Record Straight project. To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below. exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting…
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Closing Monday, 9 August at 9am 🚨 We're hiring for 2 Archive roles: 📜 Explore Centre Team Leader (Permanent, full-time) 📜 Project Archivist (12-month, full-time) Details and application link in comments 👇 #archives #jobs
Row of leather-bound council minute books on a shelf, worn spines and white cloth ties.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
We're Hiring! 2 Archives Positions: - Project Archivist: Fixed-term, 12 months, full-time. - Explore Centre Team Leader – Archives: Permanent, full-time. Apply by 9am, 10th August. More info and application link in comments. #archives #jobs
Explore Libraries and Archives. We're Hiring! 2x Archives posts. exploreyork.org.uk/jobs
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
We're Hiring! 2 Archives Positions: - Project Archivist: Fixed-term, 12 months, full-time. - Explore Centre Team Leader – Archives: Permanent, full-time. Apply by 9am, 10th August. More info and application link in comments. #archives #jobs
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Next week the reading room will be closed as part of our Setting the Record Straight project. To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below. exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting…
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Very excited that the latest issue of Heritage Hunters has arrived with us! This issue covers the history of Clifton, so do pop in and grab a copy if you're interested. 📖 We also have reference copies of previous issues.
Stack of Heritage Hunters Clifton magazinesDisplay of old Heritage Hunters copies (The Groves, Acomb and Westfield, York Museum Gardens, and Clifton)
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
🚨Closing on Monday 22nd at 9am 🚨 We are recruiting for 2x Archivist posts: Archivist (Access and Engagement) - fixed-term until March 2028. Project Archivist (Setting the Record Straight) - fixed-term, 12 months. To find out more and apply take a look at our website⬇️. #archives #jobs
Row of leather-bound council minute books on a shelf, worn spines and white cloth ties.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
You can drop in and visit the @yorkfhs.bsky.social are here at Explore York Libraries and Archives today.  The society are with us every Monday 10am to 4pm in the Family History Room, first floor York Explore Library and Archive #familyhistory #york #archives
Two vertical banners and a small table promoting City of York & District Family History Society.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
These children are standing by a horse and cart in Garden Place in Hungate, Leetham's flour mill can be seen in the background(c.1895).
Group of children and a horse-drawn cart on a narrow terraced street with factory silos and an overhead gantry.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Next week the reading room will be closed as part of our Setting the Record Straight project. To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below. exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting…
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
We are recruiting for 2x Archivist posts: Archivist (Access and Engagement) - fixed-term until March 2028. Project Archivist (Setting the Record Straight) - fixed-term, 12 months. Find out more about the roles and apply on our website here: exploreyork.org.uk/jobs #archives #jobs
Long ornate historical manuscript unrolled on archive shelf, decorative crest visible; archivist in red blurred behind.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
We are looking forward to this tomorrow! Come along to see these interesting records and chat to our friendly archives team. #archives #localhistorymonth #exploreyourarchvie
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
A reminder that we will be on the road again to celebrate local and community history month, this time at Poppleton Library with manorial court records from the 18th C.  #exploreyourarchive #archives #york #localhistory #poppleton
Aged handwritten legal parchment headed 'Manor of Poppleton' in large calligraphy, filled with flowing cursive court-record text.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Aerial view, from near St George's Field, c.1910. The image shows the prison complex with the castle walls still complete. The castle wall was built in 1822 and demolished in 1935. The public baths in St George's Field (to the bottom right) were built in 1880-81 and demolished in 1972. #archives
Aerial sepia view of York showing the River Ouse, multiple bridges and York Minster cathedral in the distance.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
We are delighted to have had our status as a fully accredited archive service renewed for 6 years 😁🥳
A large red building with the words "Library" and "Archive" written either side of the entrance way is to the centre of the image. On the left is the ruin of a medieval church facade.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
A big thank you to everyone who came along to Bishopthorpe last week!😄 We will be on the road again to celebrate local and community history month, this time at Poppleton Library with manorial court records from the 18th C.  #exploreyourarchive #archives #york #localhistory #poppleton
Aged handwritten legal parchment headed 'Manor of Poppleton' in large calligraphy, filled with flowing cursive court-record text.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
🚨We are hiring🚨 We are recruiting for 2x Archivist posts: Archivist (Access and Engagement) - fixed-term until March 2028. Project Archivist (Setting the Record Straight) - fixed-term, 12 months. To find out more about the roles and apply take a look at our website⬇️. #archives #jobs
Row of leather-bound council minute books on a shelf, worn spines and white cloth ties.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Here are our opening hours for bank holiday Monday 25 May ☕Rowntree Park cafe open as normal. 📚Libraries, archives and other cafes closed. ⚽Community Stadium library open for self-service borrow and return. Tuesday 26 May: All sites open as normal.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
A suggestion for a Mural in City of York Civic Restaurant , (15 March 1946)
A watercolour of a cottage garden and distant sea, with a woman in a blue period dress at right.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Come along and see us at Bishopthorpe Library. A member of our archive team will be here until 4:30pm. #archives #localhistorymonth
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Our first pop-up exhibition to celebrate Local and Community History month is coming up!  We will be at Bishopthorpe Library on Thursday 14 of May with records relating to the administration of the Poor Law in Bishopthorpe in the 19th C. #archives #localhistory #york #exploreyourarchive
Aged paper with flowing brown-ink cursive handwriting; visible words include 'Bishopthorpe' and 'October'.Local History Month: Bishopthorpe, Thu 14 May at Bishopthorpe library; handwritten archive image and Explore York logo.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
You can drop in and visit the @yorkfhs.bsky.social are here at Explore York Libraries and Archives today.  The society are with us every Monday 10am to 4pm in the Family History Room, first floor York Explore Library and Archive #localandcommunityhistorymonth #familyhistory #york
Table with brochures and booklets for City of York & District Family History Society beside a tall blue bannerTwo vertical banners and a small table promoting City of York & District Family History Society.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Next week the reading room will be closed as part of our Setting the Record Straight project. To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below. exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting…
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
A Public health information poster from the early 20th century. #archives #york
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
May is local and community history month and here at explore we will be celebrating it by running pop-up exhibitions. We will be at Bishopthorpe Library on Thursday 14 of May with records relating to the administration of the Poor Law in Bishopthorpe in the 19th C. #archives #localhistory #york
Local History Month: Bishopthorpe, Thu 14 May at Bishopthorpe library; handwritten archive image and Explore York logo.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Stuff and Nonsense is now on sale! Join Dr Julie‑Ann Vickers, Head of Archives at Explore York, and Yorkshire‑based improvisers Fool(ish) for an unpredictable evening of comedy drawn from York’s past. Forget dry and dusty versions of history because the truth is often way funnier than fiction. ⬇️
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
We have some visitors on library lawn today 🪿 #archives #york #spring #gosling
Two adult geese and several goslings on grass in front of a weathered stone castle wall with arched windows.Adult goose leading a brood of fluffy goslings across grass in front of a stone wall with spring flowers.Two adult greylag geese with a cluster of goslings resting on grass near a stone wall and pink tulips.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Here are our opening hours for bank holiday Monday 4 May ☕Rowntree Park cafe open as normal. 📚Libraries, archives and other cafes closed. ⚽Community Stadium library open for self-service borrow and return. Tuesday 5 May: All sites open as normal.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
York City fans have we recovered? ⚽ We thought we would share with you some programmes in our collections from York City’s last season in the Football League in 2015/16 to celebrate their return!🏆⬆️ #Archives #YCFC #York #SportHeritage
Two York City matchday magazines titled "The Citizen" showing black-and-white player portraits on the covers and inside match photos.Five black-and-white York City matchday magazines with player headshots titled The Citizen, arranged on a wooden table
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Today for #Archive30 we are celebrating our amazing #ArchiveVolunteers.  Over the last year, our volunteers have donated over 970 hours of their time to ongoing projects helping to conserve our archive collections They are all stars and we cannot thank them enough!⭐ #exploretogether
People in a library conservation room carefully handling and repairing old documents at worktables with bookshelves behind.Five people seated at a table examining and conserving archival papers in a library reading room with bookshelves
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
The first floor of York Explore will be closed to the public on Sunday 26 April. This includes the Archives and Local History Room, and the public toilets.  The ground floor library, café and all other services remain open as normal. Thank you for your understanding.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
TODAY Friday 17 April all Explore libraries, cafes and archives sites will be closed all day. We are sorry if you were planning to visit us and are disappointed. All sites will resume usual opening hours from Saturday 18 April.
Library staff gathered; sign announces libraries and archives closed Friday 17 April for annual staff conference.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Something new is coming! 🎉From Wednesday 15 April, we’ll be moving to a new archive catalogue.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Today's #Archive30 is #ArchiveBuildings so we are sharing our lovely library building.  The building was designed by Walter Brierley and opened in 1927 and had an extensions added in 1934 and then in 1938. It has been home to the archive collections since 2015.  #archives #york
Red-brick library with tall columns beside ancient stone ruins, a row of parked bicycles and a clear blue sky.Grand library entrance with three arched wooden doors, central doors open to bookshelves and a circular skylight above.Orange tulips in sun under a tree, with an old stone wall, iron fence and red-brick building beyond.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Today we start #Archive30 and the first theme is #YourArchive so we are going to talk a bit about ourselves and our collections.  Explore York Archives is responsible for acquiring, preserving and promoting the Archive and Local History collections relating to the City of York council area.
Hand pointing to text on an ornate historic manuscript stored in archival flat drawers.Old blue and black bound municipal and parliamentary registers on a shelf behind a metal grid, labeled with early 1900s dates.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Back on a sunny morning in January our participants came to @jorvikradio.bsky.social  at Tang Hall Explore Library to record their stories and poems, inspired by the Clifton Cycling Club archives found in our collections 🚲 Take a peek at some behind the scenes footage of the recording process.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
A reminder to tune in tonight to hear this amazing archive inspired audio drama. #archives #exploreyourarchive #sportheritage #cycling
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
With the Easter fast approaching here is a reminder of our opening hours. Good Friday 3 April:  Closed. Saturday 4 April: Archives reading room open as normal. Easter Day: Closed. Easter Monday 6 April: Archives and reading room closed. Tuesday 7 April: Open as normal. #archives #Easter
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Tune in to @jorvikradio.bsky.social  94.8FM next Sunday to hear History Misbehaves: Spokes and an exclusive interview with playwright Paul Birch and director Kate Valentine  🗓️ Sun 29th March ⏰ 10.00pm @ridinglights.bsky.social  @artscouncilengland.bsky.social & Digitial Drama.   #Poetry #Archives
Audio drama 'History Misbehaves: Spokes' poster — vintage pair on a bicycle; tune Jorvik Radio 94.8FM Sun 29 Mar 10pm.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
The @yorkfhs.bsky.social  are here! Every Monday from 10am-4pm at York Explore you can come along to the Family History Room where you will be able to receive free expert advice from members of the York Family History Society . Sessions are drop in – no need to book! #familyhistory #localhistory
Two banners: City of York & District Family History Society (map, meeting info) and an 'Explore Family History' banner.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
These women are telephonists working in the early 20th C. ☎️ They are thought to be Miss Quinn and Miss Topman. York's first telephone exchange was housed over a chemist's shop in Parliament Street and was opened in 1886 by the National Telephone Company. #archives #york #exploreyourarchive
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Next week the reading room will be closed as part of our Setting the Record Straight project. To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below. exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting…
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
We found this document during our most recent volunteering session with a belt that it is looking a bit worse for wear.  Unfortunately, over the last 100 years the belt has begun to imprint upon the document, leaving behind a green impression on the front and back covers of this record from 1905.
Worn bundle of early 1905 correspondence with brown paper cover and green fabric strap, handwritten title 'Correspondence'.Green fabric strap with rusty metal clasp across an aged handwritten page labeled Correspondence.Worn brown paper folder labeled correspondence from the Humber Conservancy Commission, dated January–May 1905. There is a clean line around the document under where the strap had been placed. Worn, water-stained rear page with faded teal horizontal stripe from the strap of the document, with a torn corner resting on a wooden table.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Holgate Windmill c.1910-1930's  The mill dates from c.1792 and was in production until the early 1930s. It closed due to its unsafe condition after storm damage. The mill was built using local handmade bricks and is unusual because it has five sails, a fantail, and it is double shuttered. I
Black-and-white scene of a windmill with sails beside stone farm buildings, bare trees and a fallow field.Tall conical brick windmill with large sails beside a two-story cottage and trees, vintage black-and-white photo.
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Reposted by Explore York Archive
Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek, this fascinating notebook, shows that if you were travelling from Chesterfield to London in 1840 you would have changed coach 17 times and have needed 65 horses in total! The 158 mile journey would have taken 7 hours and 45 minutes. #EYAConnections
A handwritten page in a notebook. It begins 'Friday May 29th 1840. Journey to London.' It then lists each stop on the journey and how many miles there was in between.A double page from the same notebook continuing the details of the journey.A modern document, showing a table which summarises the journey, giving place names and distances in miles.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
🚨There is still time to apply🚨 We are recruiting an Archivist (Physical Collections) – Maternity Cover, to join our archive team here at Explore York Libraries and Archvies. Closing date is 5pm, Friday, 27th February. Find out more about the role and apply here:
exploreyork.org.uk
Jobs - Explore York
Join Explore Libraries and Archives – Your community hub for learning, leisure, and connection. Exciting events, cosy cafes, and endless opportunities await! Discover more now.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
We are delighted to have the Family History Society onsite with us here on Mondays! A brilliant resource for help beginning or continuing your family history research all for free and with no need to book! #york #familyhistory
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Setting up for our first full day of volunteer sessions of 2026! Our wonderful volunteers will be cleaning and packaging one of our uncatalogued collections, in preparation for cataloguing the collection.🧹📦 #archives #volunteers #exploreyourarchive
Library study room with wooden tables set up with gray paper-lined archival trays and conservation tools; bookshelves behind.
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