Treasures of the Archives: Celebrating 75 years of Archives in North Yorkshire

Join North Yorkshire Archives as we celebrate 75 years of Archives in North Yorkshire with a fabulous showcase of treasures from our collections.Join us as we invite everyone to see behind the scenes and sample the vast range of amazing material you can see at North Yorkshire Archives. Through a series of displays and interactive activities we aim to inspire old and new visitors of all ages to discover the fascinating heritage on their doorstep.Journey through 800 years of history as we highlight some of the “treasures” of our collections giving you the chance to take a closer look at some of the unique records that have been collected and preserved by the Archives over the past 75 years. Marvel at medieval manuscripts including charters from the twelfth century.Explore the world of heraldry with hand drawn illuminated pedigrees and coats of arms featuring some of Yorkshire’s most influential families. Encounter the grandeur of history through royal grants made by kings and queens to individuals and communities across North Yorkshire, dating back to the medieval era.Peek inside the lives of one of the eighteenth century's richest and most influential families with highlights from the Dundas family archive including bills from Thomas Chippendale.Discover the work of talented amateur artists from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries with portraits and cartoons by Thomas Orde-Powlett, local landscapes by Henrietta Matilda Crompton (1793-1881), and the photographs of Louisa Kruckenberg (1885-1958).Learn about the industrial history of lead mining and smelting in the Yorkshire Dales throughout the nineteenth century.Delve into the story of shipbuilding in Selby with the Cochranes archive. Explore the vast variety of vessels built in Selby and join them on their journey from their initial design to launch on the Ouse to their life on the sea and beyond.There will also be the opportunity to see conservation demonstrations and have a go at seal making.