Churchill Archives Centre
@chuarchives.bsky.social
Where the modern history of Britain is open to all. Home to the personal papers of 600 political, military, and scientific figures.
https://archives.chu.cam.ac.uk/
https://archives.chu.cam.ac.uk/
Pinned
It's really important to us here at the Archives Centre that our researchers find our reading room an inclusive, friendly space.
Join our Archive Assistants as they show you around...
Music by Bensound, AKU3OS8UCYHVBSU8.
Join our Archive Assistants as they show you around...
Music by Bensound, AKU3OS8UCYHVBSU8.
Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁 We hope you all have a peaceful and restful Christmas and we look forward to welcoming you all back to the reading room in the New Year
December 25, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁 We hope you all have a peaceful and restful Christmas and we look forward to welcoming you all back to the reading room in the New Year
🎄 ❄️ We are feeling festive with our annual Christmas cake made by Amanda (half was demolished in record time!) and Christmas parties in the College
The Archives Centre will be closed 22nd December-Friday 2nd January (inclusive). We hope you all have a wonderful break. We will be back in 2026!
The Archives Centre will be closed 22nd December-Friday 2nd January (inclusive). We hope you all have a wonderful break. We will be back in 2026!
December 19, 2025 at 11:30 AM
🎄 ❄️ We are feeling festive with our annual Christmas cake made by Amanda (half was demolished in record time!) and Christmas parties in the College
The Archives Centre will be closed 22nd December-Friday 2nd January (inclusive). We hope you all have a wonderful break. We will be back in 2026!
The Archives Centre will be closed 22nd December-Friday 2nd January (inclusive). We hope you all have a wonderful break. We will be back in 2026!
It's been a busy year at the Archives Centre...here are some of our highlights!
Thank you to our wonderful researchers, volunteers & supporters.
🎵 Royalty Free Music: Bensound. Artist: Benjamin Tissot License code: MGGUBXG9JQVLDJWL
Thank you to our wonderful researchers, volunteers & supporters.
🎵 Royalty Free Music: Bensound. Artist: Benjamin Tissot License code: MGGUBXG9JQVLDJWL
December 18, 2025 at 3:08 PM
It's been a busy year at the Archives Centre...here are some of our highlights!
Thank you to our wonderful researchers, volunteers & supporters.
🎵 Royalty Free Music: Bensound. Artist: Benjamin Tissot License code: MGGUBXG9JQVLDJWL
Thank you to our wonderful researchers, volunteers & supporters.
🎵 Royalty Free Music: Bensound. Artist: Benjamin Tissot License code: MGGUBXG9JQVLDJWL
🎄 What was Christmas like at the PM’s country retreat in 1948?
Today’s festive find from the Kathleen Hill papers reveals Christmas arrangements at Chequers, including Clement Attlee’s arrival and later his 4-month-old granddaughter.
Today’s festive find from the Kathleen Hill papers reveals Christmas arrangements at Chequers, including Clement Attlee’s arrival and later his 4-month-old granddaughter.
December 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM
🎄 What was Christmas like at the PM’s country retreat in 1948?
Today’s festive find from the Kathleen Hill papers reveals Christmas arrangements at Chequers, including Clement Attlee’s arrival and later his 4-month-old granddaughter.
Today’s festive find from the Kathleen Hill papers reveals Christmas arrangements at Chequers, including Clement Attlee’s arrival and later his 4-month-old granddaughter.
📚 In 1908, Prime Minister Herbert Asquith gave Winston Churchill a wedding present: a ten-volume set of Jane Austen's novels.
As we celebrate Austen’s 250th birthday today, what can we learn from the inscription in this prime ministerial gift?
Find out in our blog: buff.ly/FGD7EXt
As we celebrate Austen’s 250th birthday today, what can we learn from the inscription in this prime ministerial gift?
Find out in our blog: buff.ly/FGD7EXt
December 16, 2025 at 9:03 AM
📚 In 1908, Prime Minister Herbert Asquith gave Winston Churchill a wedding present: a ten-volume set of Jane Austen's novels.
As we celebrate Austen’s 250th birthday today, what can we learn from the inscription in this prime ministerial gift?
Find out in our blog: buff.ly/FGD7EXt
As we celebrate Austen’s 250th birthday today, what can we learn from the inscription in this prime ministerial gift?
Find out in our blog: buff.ly/FGD7EXt
We were so pleased to host the students of 'The European Union, A People’s History' (a new Special Subject in the Cambridge History tripos) a few weeks ago.
We hope that access to archives will enrich your understanding of this fascinating topic!
Read more in the thread below...
We hope that access to archives will enrich your understanding of this fascinating topic!
Read more in the thread below...
Former EU lead for foreign policy speaks to History students @chuarchives.bsky.social
Baroness Catherine Ashton, the first EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, spoke to final-year students about her experiences representing the EU in high-level diplomatic negotiations... ⬇️⬇️
Baroness Catherine Ashton, the first EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, spoke to final-year students about her experiences representing the EU in high-level diplomatic negotiations... ⬇️⬇️
December 15, 2025 at 1:37 PM
We were so pleased to host the students of 'The European Union, A People’s History' (a new Special Subject in the Cambridge History tripos) a few weeks ago.
We hope that access to archives will enrich your understanding of this fascinating topic!
Read more in the thread below...
We hope that access to archives will enrich your understanding of this fascinating topic!
Read more in the thread below...
Have you ever wondered what homemade Christmas cards looked like before the digital age?
The Bull family made their own Christmas cards every year, with the tradition likely starting with the MP and solicitor William Bull, which his children continued.
Here's some of our favourites!
The Bull family made their own Christmas cards every year, with the tradition likely starting with the MP and solicitor William Bull, which his children continued.
Here's some of our favourites!
December 15, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Have you ever wondered what homemade Christmas cards looked like before the digital age?
The Bull family made their own Christmas cards every year, with the tradition likely starting with the MP and solicitor William Bull, which his children continued.
Here's some of our favourites!
The Bull family made their own Christmas cards every year, with the tradition likely starting with the MP and solicitor William Bull, which his children continued.
Here's some of our favourites!
A huge congratulations to Dr Mari Takayanagi, one of our former Archives Centre By-Fellows! 🎉
Last month I was thrilled to speak at an event at no 11 Downing Street on celebrating women cabinet ministers! @nansloane.bsky.social spoke on Margaret Bondfield, and me on Florence Horsbrugh using my @chuarchives.bsky.social research. Many thanks @histparl.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A huge congratulations to Dr Mari Takayanagi, one of our former Archives Centre By-Fellows! 🎉
Did you miss our panel session on the life and legacy of Bob Edwards (IVF pioneer) at the end of September? Well now you can catch up: buff.ly/58PLK5r
Chaired by @rogerhighfield.bsky.social, supported by @cam-repro.bsky.social
#ivf #ivfhistory @loke-ctr.bsky.social @pdncambridge.bsky.social
Chaired by @rogerhighfield.bsky.social, supported by @cam-repro.bsky.social
#ivf #ivfhistory @loke-ctr.bsky.social @pdncambridge.bsky.social
Celebrating the centenary of the birth of Bob Edwards - Churchill Archives Centre
Bringing together photographs and video from the Bob Edwards centenary panel session on his life and legacy on 26th September 2025
buff.ly
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Did you miss our panel session on the life and legacy of Bob Edwards (IVF pioneer) at the end of September? Well now you can catch up: buff.ly/58PLK5r
Chaired by @rogerhighfield.bsky.social, supported by @cam-repro.bsky.social
#ivf #ivfhistory @loke-ctr.bsky.social @pdncambridge.bsky.social
Chaired by @rogerhighfield.bsky.social, supported by @cam-repro.bsky.social
#ivf #ivfhistory @loke-ctr.bsky.social @pdncambridge.bsky.social
At the outbreak of the war, physicist James Chadwick had been studying beta radiation in Berlin. He was later held as a civilian Prisoner of War at the Ruhleben camp.
In the Chadwick papers, we hold the postcards that James sent to his mother in Christmas 1915 and 1916.
In the Chadwick papers, we hold the postcards that James sent to his mother in Christmas 1915 and 1916.
December 10, 2025 at 12:27 PM
At the outbreak of the war, physicist James Chadwick had been studying beta radiation in Berlin. He was later held as a civilian Prisoner of War at the Ruhleben camp.
In the Chadwick papers, we hold the postcards that James sent to his mother in Christmas 1915 and 1916.
In the Chadwick papers, we hold the postcards that James sent to his mother in Christmas 1915 and 1916.
If you've been in our reading room over the last few weeks, you will probably have seen Archives By-Fellow @jamesghalgh.bsky.social. Read about how James has spent his term with us in a new blog. buff.ly/pE5fPLc
December 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM
If you've been in our reading room over the last few weeks, you will probably have seen Archives By-Fellow @jamesghalgh.bsky.social. Read about how James has spent his term with us in a new blog. buff.ly/pE5fPLc
It's hard to believe that it's been a month since we were at History Day (#histday25) at @ihr.bsky.social!
For those who don't know, History Day can be a great way to locate primary sources for historical research. This year, 70 archives, libraries, and museums participated.
For those who don't know, History Day can be a great way to locate primary sources for historical research. This year, 70 archives, libraries, and museums participated.
December 4, 2025 at 10:01 AM
It's hard to believe that it's been a month since we were at History Day (#histday25) at @ihr.bsky.social!
For those who don't know, History Day can be a great way to locate primary sources for historical research. This year, 70 archives, libraries, and museums participated.
For those who don't know, History Day can be a great way to locate primary sources for historical research. This year, 70 archives, libraries, and museums participated.
Our Archive Assistants always love curating an annual Christmas exhibition for the display cases by the College Dining Hall here at Churchill College.
If you haven't seen them yet, here's a sneak peek...
If you haven't seen them yet, here's a sneak peek...
December 1, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Our Archive Assistants always love curating an annual Christmas exhibition for the display cases by the College Dining Hall here at Churchill College.
If you haven't seen them yet, here's a sneak peek...
If you haven't seen them yet, here's a sneak peek...
Today marks 151 years since the birth of Winston Churchill.
Appropriately earlier this week, we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Sir Winston Churchill Archive Trust (which administers the Churchill Papers collection) in the Churchill Room at the Houses of Parliament.
Appropriately earlier this week, we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Sir Winston Churchill Archive Trust (which administers the Churchill Papers collection) in the Churchill Room at the Houses of Parliament.
November 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Today marks 151 years since the birth of Winston Churchill.
Appropriately earlier this week, we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Sir Winston Churchill Archive Trust (which administers the Churchill Papers collection) in the Churchill Room at the Houses of Parliament.
Appropriately earlier this week, we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Sir Winston Churchill Archive Trust (which administers the Churchill Papers collection) in the Churchill Room at the Houses of Parliament.
At a recent conference hosted by the Archives Centre, the Irish Ambassador Martin Fraser, announced on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, the establishment of a permanent Chair of Irish History at @cam.ac.uk.
November 28, 2025 at 12:27 PM
At a recent conference hosted by the Archives Centre, the Irish Ambassador Martin Fraser, announced on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, the establishment of a permanent Chair of Irish History at @cam.ac.uk.
On yesterday's The World Tonight, David Maxwell Fyfe's grandson, Tom Blackmore, spoke about reading the personal letters sent between David and his wife, Sylvia during the Nuremberg Trails which we look after here at the Archives Centre.
🎧 Listen from 34:34 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
🎧 Listen from 34:34 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
November 24, 2025 at 11:56 AM
On yesterday's The World Tonight, David Maxwell Fyfe's grandson, Tom Blackmore, spoke about reading the personal letters sent between David and his wife, Sylvia during the Nuremberg Trails which we look after here at the Archives Centre.
🎧 Listen from 34:34 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
🎧 Listen from 34:34 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Today marks 80 years since the beginning of the Nuremberg Trials.
At the Archives Centre, we hold the papers of Lord Kilmuir, who as David Maxwell Fyfe, was the British Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials.
At the Archives Centre, we hold the papers of Lord Kilmuir, who as David Maxwell Fyfe, was the British Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials.
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Today marks 80 years since the beginning of the Nuremberg Trials.
At the Archives Centre, we hold the papers of Lord Kilmuir, who as David Maxwell Fyfe, was the British Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials.
At the Archives Centre, we hold the papers of Lord Kilmuir, who as David Maxwell Fyfe, was the British Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials.
We loved hosting our annual visit for students studying the Modern British History MPhil here in Cambridge.
In our 2 hour session, we worked with students to explore what it means to look after collections, from when they enter our sorting room to going out to researchers in our reading room!
In our 2 hour session, we worked with students to explore what it means to look after collections, from when they enter our sorting room to going out to researchers in our reading room!
November 19, 2025 at 12:27 PM
We loved hosting our annual visit for students studying the Modern British History MPhil here in Cambridge.
In our 2 hour session, we worked with students to explore what it means to look after collections, from when they enter our sorting room to going out to researchers in our reading room!
In our 2 hour session, we worked with students to explore what it means to look after collections, from when they enter our sorting room to going out to researchers in our reading room!
To commemorate Armistice Day, we share this truly historic item: the pen that was used to sign the Armistice, at 5 a.m. on 11 November 1918. It was given to the Churchill family by the nephew of Admiral Wemyss, who as 1st Sea Lord signed the Armistice on behalf of the Government (BRDW V 5/1).
November 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
To commemorate Armistice Day, we share this truly historic item: the pen that was used to sign the Armistice, at 5 a.m. on 11 November 1918. It was given to the Churchill family by the nephew of Admiral Wemyss, who as 1st Sea Lord signed the Armistice on behalf of the Government (BRDW V 5/1).
🎉 Happy World Digital Preservation Day!
💾 From 3D printing to cleaning, collaborations between the Archives Centre and Churchill College have been vital to rescuing data from the floppy disks we look after in our collections.
🔗 Read more in our new blog: buff.ly/HQ3AOMF
#wdpd2025
💾 From 3D printing to cleaning, collaborations between the Archives Centre and Churchill College have been vital to rescuing data from the floppy disks we look after in our collections.
🔗 Read more in our new blog: buff.ly/HQ3AOMF
#wdpd2025
November 6, 2025 at 10:30 PM
🎉 Happy World Digital Preservation Day!
💾 From 3D printing to cleaning, collaborations between the Archives Centre and Churchill College have been vital to rescuing data from the floppy disks we look after in our collections.
🔗 Read more in our new blog: buff.ly/HQ3AOMF
#wdpd2025
💾 From 3D printing to cleaning, collaborations between the Archives Centre and Churchill College have been vital to rescuing data from the floppy disks we look after in our collections.
🔗 Read more in our new blog: buff.ly/HQ3AOMF
#wdpd2025
Join us next week to explore the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement in a two day conference. Click here to get your tickets, view the detailed programme and information about all of our interesting speakers! buff.ly/jv7favU
November 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Join us next week to explore the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement in a two day conference. Click here to get your tickets, view the detailed programme and information about all of our interesting speakers! buff.ly/jv7favU
🎉 And it’s History Day!
👋 Come and say hello and delve into our rummage box to see some of the items that our team have chosen for the queer history and heritage trail. 🌈
@senatehouselib.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social
#HistDay25
👋 Come and say hello and delve into our rummage box to see some of the items that our team have chosen for the queer history and heritage trail. 🌈
@senatehouselib.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social
#HistDay25
November 4, 2025 at 11:56 AM
🎉 And it’s History Day!
👋 Come and say hello and delve into our rummage box to see some of the items that our team have chosen for the queer history and heritage trail. 🌈
@senatehouselib.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social
#HistDay25
👋 Come and say hello and delve into our rummage box to see some of the items that our team have chosen for the queer history and heritage trail. 🌈
@senatehouselib.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social
#HistDay25
🎃 In 1930, the solicitor George Bull received a Halloween invitation from Isla and Edward Mitchell.
👻📜Guests were advised to wear old clothes as 'cats and ghosts get rough'...
George's father William, preserved this invite in a volume which forms a part of a new accession to the Bull papers.
👻📜Guests were advised to wear old clothes as 'cats and ghosts get rough'...
George's father William, preserved this invite in a volume which forms a part of a new accession to the Bull papers.
October 31, 2025 at 9:27 AM
🎃 In 1930, the solicitor George Bull received a Halloween invitation from Isla and Edward Mitchell.
👻📜Guests were advised to wear old clothes as 'cats and ghosts get rough'...
George's father William, preserved this invite in a volume which forms a part of a new accession to the Bull papers.
👻📜Guests were advised to wear old clothes as 'cats and ghosts get rough'...
George's father William, preserved this invite in a volume which forms a part of a new accession to the Bull papers.
🎉 We were delighted to hear from @robert-yee.bsky.social who has just published his first book 'The City’s Defense: The Bank of England and the Remaking of Economic Governance' supported by the Jennie Churchill Fund.
🥳 A huge congratulations Robert from the Archives Centre team!
🥳 A huge congratulations Robert from the Archives Centre team!
October 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
🎉 We were delighted to hear from @robert-yee.bsky.social who has just published his first book 'The City’s Defense: The Bank of England and the Remaking of Economic Governance' supported by the Jennie Churchill Fund.
🥳 A huge congratulations Robert from the Archives Centre team!
🥳 A huge congratulations Robert from the Archives Centre team!
We're currently digitising the HMV gramophone records called ‘The Progress of the War’ 1940-43, which contain some of Churchill's most famous speeches.
Here you can see our college’s AV technician carefully placing a cleaned record onto the turntable, ready to capture its sound using a stylus.
Here you can see our college’s AV technician carefully placing a cleaned record onto the turntable, ready to capture its sound using a stylus.
October 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
We're currently digitising the HMV gramophone records called ‘The Progress of the War’ 1940-43, which contain some of Churchill's most famous speeches.
Here you can see our college’s AV technician carefully placing a cleaned record onto the turntable, ready to capture its sound using a stylus.
Here you can see our college’s AV technician carefully placing a cleaned record onto the turntable, ready to capture its sound using a stylus.