Nottinghamshire Archives places learning at the centre of its activities. Our outreach activities and events are designed to help people find out more about archives. These activities take into account a range of age groups to support community and partnership activity and to enhance learning opportunities.
Our work in this area is supported by our Learning and outreach policy [PDF 68KB].
Events and activities
Each year the Archives organises an exciting range of events and activities. These include:
- An annual open day, with an introductory talk, behind-the-scenes tour and exhibition
- Lunchtime talks
- Family history hours
- Taster sessions
- Archive workshops
- Family fun days
- A depositors' evening - this enables new or existing depositors of archives to view the storage, preservation and public facilities at the Archives.
National events
Other activities are organised to coincide with national events and initiatives. Our recent spooky evening event, which included tales of mysterious deaths from the Archives and featured the Storytellers of Nottingham, was hosted as part of the Culture 24 Night Fever initiative.
Although most sessions are undertaken at the Archives in Nottingham, we can sometimes provide speakers and lecturers for other organisations and for special events. Contact us to find out more.
Group visits
To encourage access to our facilities and collections, we welcome groups in both the daytime and the evening (subject to staff availability). Groups may have family, local history or community interests or may simply be curious to know more about what the Archives service can provide.
Visits can be organised during the day or in the evening for up to 30 people, and this can include tours of the search room and the strong rooms.
Schools and universities
We also welcome visits from school, college and university groups. We can provide inductions for students on how to use the Archives and research facilities.
Visits can be organised for up to 25 students during the day.
Booking a group visit
To arrange a group visit, contact the Senior Archivist (Public Services) to arrange a date and time that is convenient. Any specific needs and arrangements can also be made at this time.
You will be advised to complete a Group Visit Booking Form [PDF 38KB].
There is considerable demand for group visits and all prospective visitors are advised to book well in advance (at least three months ahead) to avoid disappointment.
Costs
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Introduction to Archives
1 hour: £40.00
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Introduction to Archives
1 and a half hours: £45.00
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Curriculum related study session
3 hours: £100.00
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Curriculum related study session
6 hours: £175.00
Nottinghamshire Archives can provide depositors with displays of original archives in lockable showcases (3 x 2 feet) with accompanying captions. These will support exhibitions being held at local and community venues.
The preservation and security of original archives is very important, and loans of original archives are subject to the venue's heat and light sources and suitable stewarding arrangements. As an alternative, we can provide facsimiles of archives which can be incorporated onto mobile display boards of various sizes.
Booking a display
At least three months notice is required to produce these displays. In the first instance it is advisable to contact the Senior Archivist (Public Services) to arrange the type of display and appropriate content.
You need to complete a relevant booking form:
In addition, the following information is available advising how the display should be looked after whilst in your care:
There may be a charge for display materials and digital copying work.
Online exhibitions
The Archives aims to develop a wide range of online or virtual exhibitions. Currently these include:
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Nottinghamshire's African Caribbean Heritage
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Wheels of Fortune: the Story of Raleigh Cycles of Nottingham
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Broad Marsh and Narrow Marsh: the Story of a Nottingham Community
They incoporate images along with extended captions and interpretive material. Visit our online exhibitions page to find out more!
Display panels for hire
A series of loanable display panels are available from Nottinghamshire Archives.
Online learning
Nottinghamshire Archives aims to provide many learning opportunities on the internet.
Learn with museums website
Along with other East Midlands archives and records offices, we are a major contributor to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) East Midlands website Learn with Museums (formerly Emsource), for learners and teachers.
The website provides images and information on many archival documents, along with teachers' notes and lesson ideas, on various topics linked to the National Curriculum. Currently there are topics on the website relating to:
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World War One
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Word War Two
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Slavery and abolition.
