Explore York Archive

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Explore York Archive Keep up to date with the archives latest projects and activities.

For the final post in our environmental series, we’re highlighting a more contemporary item from our collections: the 'M...
26/10/2026

For the final post in our environmental series, we’re highlighting a more contemporary item from our collections: the 'Meteorological Diaries of William Baines'.

This volume, dating from 1970 [BAY/12], contains detailed observations of local weather conditions, alongside graphs and newspaper cuttings that document environmental events and trends. Unlike many of the historical items featured throughout this series, Baines’ diary offers a valuable glimpse into more recent engagement with environmental themes and the recording of climate and weather patterns at a local level.

The items showcased in this series can also found over on our Archives Blog, where we have collated each post in one place.
Check it out at the following link: https://citymakinghistory.org

Take a look at our latest blogpost: 'Stonebow in Focus', written by Elliot, one of our fabulous placement students from ...
22/10/2026

Take a look at our latest blogpost: 'Stonebow in Focus', written by Elliot, one of our fabulous placement students from York St John University.

Elliot was part of a group working with some of our photographic collections here at York Explore Archive. This blog forms the second part of a three-part series, so keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks for the final installment!

The blog is available via the following link: https://citymakinghistory.org/

Last week saw a fantastic series of student workshops! Our Digital Archivist, Tania, and Archive and Digitisation Assist...
21/10/2026

Last week saw a fantastic series of student workshops! Our Digital Archivist, Tania, and Archive and Digitisation Assistant, Becky, guided students from York College through a fascinating selection of design-focused archival material.

From a 1459 illuminated charter [Y/ADM/1/1/23] to Fabric Samples [HDG/9/1] and a Tailor's Pattern Book [AND/4/1], students discovered how creative inspiration can be found in even the most unexpected places.

Diverging from the scientific and academic work represented within the Strickland Collection, this week we're highlighti...
19/10/2026

Diverging from the scientific and academic work represented within the Strickland Collection, this week we're highlighting HNT/791, part of the autograph collection of Reginald Hunt (1850-1938).

Hunt's collection comprises a wide range of signed postcards, original letters, and framed memorabilia gathered throughout his lifetime. The item featured here; 'Postcard of Flowers Addressed to Miss Caroline Broughton, York, from Jolanda, Mafalda, Umberto and Giovanna' (1911), demonstrates a more artistic interpretation of the natural world.

While flowers often appear in archives through botanical studies and scientific observation, they also feature prominently in personal correspondence and artwork. This postcard serves as a reminder of the many ways in which representations of the environment can be found throughout our collections, reflecting both an appreciation of nature and the role it plays in everyday life.

For this week's environmental awareness post, we're highlighting STK/4/1; a volume documenting the 'Flowers of York' fro...
12/10/2026

For this week's environmental awareness post, we're highlighting STK/4/1; a volume documenting the 'Flowers of York' from the Strickland Collection, compiled by Sir William Strickland.

Strickland (1752-1834), the 6th Baronet of Boynton, was a notable naturalist whose interests spanned botany, agriculture, and the natural world. Compiled by both William and, later, his son Eustachius, the Strickland Collection encompasses a remarkable range of material, from diaries recounting William's voyage to America to 18th century papers on botany, law, and agriculture.

Flowers of York offers a fascinating insight into the city's historic flora and reflects the family's enduring interest in recording and understanding the natural environment. Through works such as this, we can explore how York's landscapes and plant life were observed and documented in the past.

12/10/2026

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 in the comments below.

Check out our latest blogpost: 'Carved in Time: A Visual Study of York Minster’s Outer Gothic Detail', written by Tilly,...
08/10/2026

Check out our latest blogpost: 'Carved in Time: A Visual Study of York Minster’s Outer Gothic Detail', written by Tilly, one of our wonderful placement students from York St John University.

Tilly was part of a group working with some of our photographic collections here at York Explore Archive. This blog forms the first part of a three-part series, so keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks!

The blog is available via the following link: https://citymakinghistory.org/

Today marks the first Monday of York Environment Festival!As part of our efforts to raise awareness of local sustainabil...
05/10/2026

Today marks the first Monday of York Environment Festival!

As part of our efforts to raise awareness of local sustainability initiatives, this weekly series explores the ways in which the natural environment has been represented and celebrated within our archive collections.

Our first example comes from the 18th century Chapbook collection (CBK). Printed by J. Kendrew, these small booklets were produced for children's entertainment and education. Titled 'A Collection of Birds and Riddles by Miss Polly and Master Tommy' [CBK/1/46], this chapbook combines learning and amusement through observations of the natural world.

With York Food Festival taking over the city, we're showcasing some of the fascinating ways local cuisine, and the histo...
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.

From handwritten letters describing meals served aboard a ship bound for Rotterdam in 1861 [AFL/6], to 18th-century account books recording invoices for puddings and "Minch'd Pies" [MFP/1/1/5], York Explore offers a unique glimpse into food culture and the role it played in everyday York life across the centuries.

Find more information on our catalogue, available at the following link: https://archives.exploreyork.org.uk

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