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kentarchives.bsky.social
Kent Archives
@kentarchives.bsky.social
A nationally accredited archive repository for Kent, established in 1933 and based in Maidstone. Get involved and keep up-to-date with the latest news and events from our service.

This account is monitored from Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5pm.
A lost landmark of Chatham Hill in #Gillingham, Jezreel’s Tower was built in the 1880s to serve as the headquarters of the New and Latter House of Israel. Although never completed and razed in 1961, it remains a notable curiosity in the history of #Medway 🧱

🔎 To learn more, click ALT ☟
January 29, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Have yet to read the latest news from Kent Archives?
🗞️ Winter 2025 newsletter:
www.kentarchives.org.uk/archive-newsletter/

In this edition, meet two new members of the team and enjoy articles about our recent engagement activities, Old Scotney Castle, Martello Towers, and the 6th Baron Brabourne.
January 26, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Today we’d like to wish Maidstone Museum a very happy 168th birthday!

Just a stone’s throw from Kent Archives, the museum was founded in 1858 and holds a diverse collection of over 600,000 artefacts — from Japanese decorative art and Ancient Egypt to ethnography and local history 🏺📿

☟ See H/U18/44
January 20, 2026 at 2:33 PM
From the team at Kent Archives, we’d like to wish our followers, readers, volunteers and friends across the sector a Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2026!

☟📮 See F1975/14/F7: bit.ly/41LqQT4

#SeasonsGreetings #Christmas2025
December 25, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Join us in #Canterbury on Tuesday 24th February for a special talk presented by Dr Barrie Cook – former curator of coins at the British Museum.

🎟️ £10.00 per ticket
📧 To purchase, email your name and telephone number to archives@kent.gov.uk
ℹ️ More details: bit.ly/CoinHoardsEvent
December 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM
✨ Our opening hours this festive season ✨

Following our temporary closure, we look forward to re-opening our Search Room to the public on Tuesday 16th December.

Plan to visit us in the next few weeks? To avoid disappointment, please bear in mind the following dates…
December 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Released by Kent County Council's Social Services in the mid-to-late 1990s, this information pack captures growing empathy towards those battling #HIV and #AIDS, with sections addressing the right of patients to access confidential and prejudice-free care.

☟ See C/SS/1/13
#WorldAIDSDay @nat.org.uk
December 1, 2025 at 12:35 PM
NOTICE: Kent Archives is temporarily closed.

Our team is conducting essential collections work from Monday 1st - Sunday 14th December.

During this time, our Search Room and enquiry service will be closed. Normal service will resume on Monday 15th December.
December 1, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Yesterday we celebrated the outstanding contributions made by our volunteers in 2025. A special presentation was made to Julia, who has volunteered at Kent Archives for an impressive 20 years.

Our thanks to Julia, João, Gill, Pabitra, Julie and Anne for all their hard work! ✨
November 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Now booking: Canterbury Medieval Weekend
Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd May 2026

Join leading historians and writers as they uncover the ideas, people and events that shaped the Middle Ages.

📍 University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NU
ℹ️ For details and tickets: history-weekends.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Newly acquired & available to read in our Search Room:

'Tilt Boats and Hatch Boats of Gravesend and the London River, 1555–1865' by David Patient, 2024

🔎 To view, request ref. BK/C335180096
📚 For blurb, click ALT ☟
#MaritimeHistory #RiverThames #Gravesend #Kent
November 18, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Kent Archives will be closed from Monday 1st - Sunday 14th December whilst we conduct essential collections work.

During this time, our Search Room will be closed to the public and we will not be accepting enquiries.

Normal service will resume on Monday 15th December.
November 12, 2025 at 9:39 AM
This #RemembranceDay, revisit our lunchtime talk about the Orchard Family of #Folkestone, presented by archivist Liz Finn.

Liz explores the human cost of the First World War and how archives can help us bring these personal stories to light. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJRc...
Kent Archives Talk | The Orchard Family: Loss, Heartbreak and Remembrance in #Folkestone #WW1
YouTube video by Kent Libraries Registration and Archives
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Kent Libraries, Registration and Archives will pause today at 11am to observe a two minutes silence.

We remember those who have fought and continue to fight for peace, and all impacted by armed conflict.

#RemembranceDay2025 #LestWeForget
November 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
From a 'flight of fiery whirlwinds' to a 'perfect umbrella of fire', this programme from November 1883 suggests that C. T. Brock and Co's fireworks display in #Ramsgate was a feast for the eyes – and a health and safety nightmare, no doubt!

Happy #BonfireNight 🔥
☟ See U4364/Z3
November 5, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Announcing our final lunchtime talk of 2025!
Monday 10th November, 1-2pm
📍 Kent History & Library Centre, #Maidstone

'Recreation, health and competition: Sport in Victorian Kent' presented by Dr Catherine Budd.

Book your free seat today:
📧 archives@kent.gov.uk
☎️ 03000 420 673
November 3, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Fright-seeking residents of Kent need not travel far this #Halloween. Allegedly home to over twelve spectres, the village of #Pluckley near #Ashford is said to be the most haunted in England. Visit at your own peril…

To learn more, click ALT ☟

🎃 See KHLC-IMG/PO/1/PLU/4
October 31, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Yesterday's retention policy: bin the lot!

Our team took to the wet and windy streets of #Maidstone to conduct a much-needed appraisal of the 'pavement ephemera' littering the local area.

Needless to say, there were plenty of duplicates – and nothing worthy of preservation… 🗑️
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Can you help us identify photographs from our #Sittingbourne Paper Mill Collection? If so, join us for a trip down memory lane...

🗓️ Friday 24th October, 11:30am - 4:45pm
📍 Sittingbourne Library
🗃️ View archival material and share your knowledge about the Mill with our team
October 17, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Opened in 1830, the #Canterbury and #Whitstable Railway was among the first in the world to carry passengers and freight by steam. It also featured Britain's first purpose-built railway tunnel, at Tyler Hill.

For more information and document details, click ALT ☟
🚂 #Railway200
October 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
This Thursday, 7-8pm:
'From Letters to Literature: Gill Hornby at the Archives'

Discover how Gill's writing was informed by records of the Knight and Austen families, held by Kent Archives.

📍 Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone
🎟️ Tickets: £2.00
💳 Details and booking: bit.ly/42uFaz0
October 6, 2025 at 11:08 AM
🗞️ Autumn 2025 newsletter:
www.kentarchives.org.uk/archive-newsletter

Discover new additions to the Brabourne family papers including a note from #Gandhi concerning the death of the 5th Lord Brabourne, and somersault head first into the records of #Nonington College of Physical Education 🤸🏻
October 2, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Announcing our penultimate lunchtime talk of 2025…
Monday 13th October, 1-2pm
📍 Lecture Theatre at County Hall, #Maidstone

'The history of Policewomen in Kent County Constabulary' presented by Pam Mills.

Book your free seat today:
📧 archives@kent.gov.uk
☎️ 03000 420 673
September 17, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Newly acquired & available to read in our Search Room:

'Commanding Kent County Constabulary 1857–1957' by Pam Mills and Dave Swarbrick, 2025

🔎 To view, request ref. BK/C158062562
📚 For blurb, click ALT ☟
#Policing #LawAndOrder #CrimeAndPunishment #Kent
September 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Fancy a plate of nostalgia served with a side of culinary trauma? 🍽️

From chocolate sponge and custard to lumpy mash, we're heading #BackToSchool today with this school dinner recipe book issued by the Kent Education Committee in 1957.

👩🏻‍🍳📖 See C/E/15/4:
kentarchives.org.uk/collections/...
September 2, 2025 at 10:56 AM