Explore York Archive
@yorkarchive.bsky.social
Making over 850 years of the city of York's history accessible to all. Keep up to date with our latest projects and activities here.
Website: https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/
Blog: http://citymakinghistory.org
Website: https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/
Blog: http://citymakinghistory.org
🚨We are hiring🚨
We are recruiting an Archivist (Physical Collections) – Maternity Cover, to join our archive team here at Explore York Libraries and Archvies.
Closing date is 5pm, Friday, 27th February
Find out more about the role and apply on our website.
We are recruiting an Archivist (Physical Collections) – Maternity Cover, to join our archive team here at Explore York Libraries and Archvies.
Closing date is 5pm, Friday, 27th February
Find out more about the role and apply on our website.
Jobs - Explore York
Join Explore Libraries and Archives – Your community hub for learning, leisure, and connection. Exciting events, cosy cafes, and endless opportunities await! Discover more now.
exploreyork.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 10:03 AM
🚨We are hiring🚨
We are recruiting an Archivist (Physical Collections) – Maternity Cover, to join our archive team here at Explore York Libraries and Archvies.
Closing date is 5pm, Friday, 27th February
Find out more about the role and apply on our website.
We are recruiting an Archivist (Physical Collections) – Maternity Cover, to join our archive team here at Explore York Libraries and Archvies.
Closing date is 5pm, Friday, 27th February
Find out more about the role and apply on our website.
Always wanted to discover your family history but didn’t know where to start?
Having challenges with your research and need further advice?
@yorkfhs.bsky.social are at York Explore today and every Monday, 10am-4pm, in the Family History Room on the first floor at York Explore.
Having challenges with your research and need further advice?
@yorkfhs.bsky.social are at York Explore today and every Monday, 10am-4pm, in the Family History Room on the first floor at York Explore.
February 9, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Always wanted to discover your family history but didn’t know where to start?
Having challenges with your research and need further advice?
@yorkfhs.bsky.social are at York Explore today and every Monday, 10am-4pm, in the Family History Room on the first floor at York Explore.
Having challenges with your research and need further advice?
@yorkfhs.bsky.social are at York Explore today and every Monday, 10am-4pm, in the Family History Room on the first floor at York Explore.
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 below.
https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting-the-record-straight/
To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below.
https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting-the-record-straight/
February 9, 2026 at 9:01 AM
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 below.
https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting-the-record-straight/
To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below.
https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting-the-record-straight/
Goodramgate with the junction of College St. c.1890.
This image shows multiple shops including Britton’s tobacconist and J. Todd’s grocers. It also predates the creation of Deangate that now connects Goodramgate with the Minster Yard, which was completed in 1902-3.
#york #archives
This image shows multiple shops including Britton’s tobacconist and J. Todd’s grocers. It also predates the creation of Deangate that now connects Goodramgate with the Minster Yard, which was completed in 1902-3.
#york #archives
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Interested in Local History?
Joining a Local History Group is a great way to get to know people and learn about your local area.
You can find contact details for the local history groups in York on our website on the link below.
#Archives #LocalHistory #York
https://shorturl.at/TVcTt
Joining a Local History Group is a great way to get to know people and learn about your local area.
You can find contact details for the local history groups in York on our website on the link below.
#Archives #LocalHistory #York
https://shorturl.at/TVcTt
February 3, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Interested in Local History?
Joining a Local History Group is a great way to get to know people and learn about your local area.
You can find contact details for the local history groups in York on our website on the link below.
#Archives #LocalHistory #York
https://shorturl.at/TVcTt
Joining a Local History Group is a great way to get to know people and learn about your local area.
You can find contact details for the local history groups in York on our website on the link below.
#Archives #LocalHistory #York
https://shorturl.at/TVcTt
We are open in the reading room until 4pm!!
Come along and see our free exhibition showcasing some of our collections on the historic bridges of York as part of Residents Festival. Learn about the chequered history of York's main bridges as well some less familiar river crossings.
#york #archives
Come along and see our free exhibition showcasing some of our collections on the historic bridges of York as part of Residents Festival. Learn about the chequered history of York's main bridges as well some less familiar river crossings.
#york #archives
January 31, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Come along tomorrow as we will be hosting a pop-up exhibition on the historic bridges of York as part of Residents Festival.
📅Saturday, 31st January 10am-4pm
📍Archives Reading Room, First Floor, York Explore.
Entry is free and no booking required!
#archives #york #exploreyourarchive
📅Saturday, 31st January 10am-4pm
📍Archives Reading Room, First Floor, York Explore.
Entry is free and no booking required!
#archives #york #exploreyourarchive
January 30, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Come along tomorrow as we will be hosting a pop-up exhibition on the historic bridges of York as part of Residents Festival.
📅Saturday, 31st January 10am-4pm
📍Archives Reading Room, First Floor, York Explore.
Entry is free and no booking required!
#archives #york #exploreyourarchive
📅Saturday, 31st January 10am-4pm
📍Archives Reading Room, First Floor, York Explore.
Entry is free and no booking required!
#archives #york #exploreyourarchive
A reminder that next week will be saying farewell to our images website ahead of an upgrade to our systems.
#archives #york
#archives #york
Our current Explore York Images site will shut down on the 2 February 2026. After this date it will not be possible to view or purchase images from the site.
A new site will launch in Spring 2026 as part of an upgrade to our systems.
We apologise for any inconvenience this downtime may cause.
A new site will launch in Spring 2026 as part of an upgrade to our systems.
We apologise for any inconvenience this downtime may cause.
January 27, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Next week we will hosting a free pop-up exhibition on the historic bridges of York as part of Residents Festival.
📅Saturday, 31st January 10am-4pm
📍Archives Reading Room, First Floor, York Explore.
Free entry and no booking required
📅Saturday, 31st January 10am-4pm
📍Archives Reading Room, First Floor, York Explore.
Free entry and no booking required
January 24, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Next week we will hosting a free pop-up exhibition on the historic bridges of York as part of Residents Festival.
📅Saturday, 31st January 10am-4pm
📍Archives Reading Room, First Floor, York Explore.
Free entry and no booking required
📅Saturday, 31st January 10am-4pm
📍Archives Reading Room, First Floor, York Explore.
Free entry and no booking required
'The Doss House' at 111 Walmgate, 1913.
(Archive ref: PHO/3/8449)
This half timbered 15th century building was a common lodging house run by the Kilmartin family.
(Archive ref: PHO/3/8449)
This half timbered 15th century building was a common lodging house run by the Kilmartin family.
January 23, 2026 at 12:45 PM
'The Doss House' at 111 Walmgate, 1913.
(Archive ref: PHO/3/8449)
This half timbered 15th century building was a common lodging house run by the Kilmartin family.
(Archive ref: PHO/3/8449)
This half timbered 15th century building was a common lodging house run by the Kilmartin family.
A busy start to our first Setting the Record Straight week of 2026.
We’ve been unboxed and repackaging our collection of Chamberlain’s vouchers. The vouchers are the actual bills and invoices written by those providing goods and services to the City of York Corporation, often in their own hand.
We’ve been unboxed and repackaging our collection of Chamberlain’s vouchers. The vouchers are the actual bills and invoices written by those providing goods and services to the City of York Corporation, often in their own hand.
January 20, 2026 at 3:48 PM
A busy start to our first Setting the Record Straight week of 2026.
We’ve been unboxed and repackaging our collection of Chamberlain’s vouchers. The vouchers are the actual bills and invoices written by those providing goods and services to the City of York Corporation, often in their own hand.
We’ve been unboxed and repackaging our collection of Chamberlain’s vouchers. The vouchers are the actual bills and invoices written by those providing goods and services to the City of York Corporation, often in their own hand.
Are you considering in a career in archives or conservation, history, or are interested in what we do? Then why not apply to volunteer with us!
We are looking for volunteers to work on a project to clean and re-package some of our collections
#volunteer #archives #york
We are looking for volunteers to work on a project to clean and re-package some of our collections
#volunteer #archives #york
January 15, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Are you considering in a career in archives or conservation, history, or are interested in what we do? Then why not apply to volunteer with us!
We are looking for volunteers to work on a project to clean and re-package some of our collections
#volunteer #archives #york
We are looking for volunteers to work on a project to clean and re-package some of our collections
#volunteer #archives #york
Our current Explore York Images site will shut down on the 2 February 2026. After this date it will not be possible to view or purchase images from the site.
A new site will launch in Spring 2026 as part of an upgrade to our systems.
We apologise for any inconvenience this downtime may cause.
A new site will launch in Spring 2026 as part of an upgrade to our systems.
We apologise for any inconvenience this downtime may cause.
January 14, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Our current Explore York Images site will shut down on the 2 February 2026. After this date it will not be possible to view or purchase images from the site.
A new site will launch in Spring 2026 as part of an upgrade to our systems.
We apologise for any inconvenience this downtime may cause.
A new site will launch in Spring 2026 as part of an upgrade to our systems.
We apologise for any inconvenience this downtime may cause.
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 below.
https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting-the-record-straight/
To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below.
https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting-the-record-straight/
January 12, 2026 at 9:01 AM
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 below.
https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting-the-record-straight/
To find out more about setting the record straight and upcoming closure dates take a look at the dedicated page on our website below.
https://exploreyork.org.uk/archives/setting-the-record-straight/
Members of Layerthorpe Adult School pictured at Easingwold, 1907.
This school was on Redeness Street and was newly built in 1904. Its first stones were laid on top of a bottle containing coins of the realm and newspapers from the day.
#york #archives #education
This school was on Redeness Street and was newly built in 1904. Its first stones were laid on top of a bottle containing coins of the realm and newspapers from the day.
#york #archives #education
January 9, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Members of Layerthorpe Adult School pictured at Easingwold, 1907.
This school was on Redeness Street and was newly built in 1904. Its first stones were laid on top of a bottle containing coins of the realm and newspapers from the day.
#york #archives #education
This school was on Redeness Street and was newly built in 1904. Its first stones were laid on top of a bottle containing coins of the realm and newspapers from the day.
#york #archives #education
We are delighted to annouce that @yorkfhs.bsky.social are now at York Explore!
Every Monday 10am-4pm in the Family History Room, first floor York Explore.
Always wanted to discover your family history but didn’t know where to start?
Having challenges with your research and need further advice?
Every Monday 10am-4pm in the Family History Room, first floor York Explore.
Always wanted to discover your family history but didn’t know where to start?
Having challenges with your research and need further advice?
January 7, 2026 at 11:15 AM
We are delighted to annouce that @yorkfhs.bsky.social are now at York Explore!
Every Monday 10am-4pm in the Family History Room, first floor York Explore.
Always wanted to discover your family history but didn’t know where to start?
Having challenges with your research and need further advice?
Every Monday 10am-4pm in the Family History Room, first floor York Explore.
Always wanted to discover your family history but didn’t know where to start?
Having challenges with your research and need further advice?
It is Christmas Eve!!🎅
Behind today’s door, as an early present, we have four blocks showcasing the most prominent fixture of the York landscape, the Minster.
Those with keen eyes may notice a few familiar faces from previous tiles in the minster decorations.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasEve
Behind today’s door, as an early present, we have four blocks showcasing the most prominent fixture of the York landscape, the Minster.
Those with keen eyes may notice a few familiar faces from previous tiles in the minster decorations.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasEve
December 24, 2025 at 10:02 AM
It is Christmas Eve!!🎅
Behind today’s door, as an early present, we have four blocks showcasing the most prominent fixture of the York landscape, the Minster.
Those with keen eyes may notice a few familiar faces from previous tiles in the minster decorations.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasEve
Behind today’s door, as an early present, we have four blocks showcasing the most prominent fixture of the York landscape, the Minster.
Those with keen eyes may notice a few familiar faces from previous tiles in the minster decorations.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasEve
23❄️
Only two more sleeps until the big day
Behind today’s door we have another duo of blocks that take us back to Rowntree park and its many spaces for activities and sport
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #archives #Christmas #York
Only two more sleeps until the big day
Behind today’s door we have another duo of blocks that take us back to Rowntree park and its many spaces for activities and sport
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #archives #Christmas #York
December 23, 2025 at 10:02 AM
23❄️
Only two more sleeps until the big day
Behind today’s door we have another duo of blocks that take us back to Rowntree park and its many spaces for activities and sport
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #archives #Christmas #York
Only two more sleeps until the big day
Behind today’s door we have another duo of blocks that take us back to Rowntree park and its many spaces for activities and sport
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #archives #Christmas #York
22⛄📅
Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar features a staple of Christmas across the UK, the Pantomime with a very well-known character to audiences in York.
“The long tradition of pantomime is alive and kicking in York, with Berwick Kaler as the famous Dame” – Emily Harvey.
#archive #york #christmas
Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar features a staple of Christmas across the UK, the Pantomime with a very well-known character to audiences in York.
“The long tradition of pantomime is alive and kicking in York, with Berwick Kaler as the famous Dame” – Emily Harvey.
#archive #york #christmas
December 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
22⛄📅
Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar features a staple of Christmas across the UK, the Pantomime with a very well-known character to audiences in York.
“The long tradition of pantomime is alive and kicking in York, with Berwick Kaler as the famous Dame” – Emily Harvey.
#archive #york #christmas
Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar features a staple of Christmas across the UK, the Pantomime with a very well-known character to audiences in York.
“The long tradition of pantomime is alive and kicking in York, with Berwick Kaler as the famous Dame” – Emily Harvey.
#archive #york #christmas
21🎄
We have a double day in our #ArchiveAdventCalendar.
We are exploring a broad span of time when looking at the features in York’s landscape in these blocks. We have the rivers of York, the Ouse and Foss, markets and their history in the city, and a more recent addition, the Millenium Bridge.
We have a double day in our #ArchiveAdventCalendar.
We are exploring a broad span of time when looking at the features in York’s landscape in these blocks. We have the rivers of York, the Ouse and Foss, markets and their history in the city, and a more recent addition, the Millenium Bridge.
December 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
21🎄
We have a double day in our #ArchiveAdventCalendar.
We are exploring a broad span of time when looking at the features in York’s landscape in these blocks. We have the rivers of York, the Ouse and Foss, markets and their history in the city, and a more recent addition, the Millenium Bridge.
We have a double day in our #ArchiveAdventCalendar.
We are exploring a broad span of time when looking at the features in York’s landscape in these blocks. We have the rivers of York, the Ouse and Foss, markets and their history in the city, and a more recent addition, the Millenium Bridge.
20🎅
Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar block takes us to Rowntree Park and memories of swimming in the city.
“There used to be a lot of places to swim; people have happy memories of swimming in the open air in Rowntree Park.
(cont)
Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar block takes us to Rowntree Park and memories of swimming in the city.
“There used to be a lot of places to swim; people have happy memories of swimming in the open air in Rowntree Park.
(cont)
December 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
20🎅
Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar block takes us to Rowntree Park and memories of swimming in the city.
“There used to be a lot of places to swim; people have happy memories of swimming in the open air in Rowntree Park.
(cont)
Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar block takes us to Rowntree Park and memories of swimming in the city.
“There used to be a lot of places to swim; people have happy memories of swimming in the open air in Rowntree Park.
(cont)
Left everything a bit late?
Don't fret as you can still purchase some of our archive inspired Christmas cards and help conserve York’s archive collections. ⛄✉️
A pack of five cards are availble for £6 and each purchase will support the preservation of York’s history
#supportexplore #york #archives
Don't fret as you can still purchase some of our archive inspired Christmas cards and help conserve York’s archive collections. ⛄✉️
A pack of five cards are availble for £6 and each purchase will support the preservation of York’s history
#supportexplore #york #archives
December 20, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Left everything a bit late?
Don't fret as you can still purchase some of our archive inspired Christmas cards and help conserve York’s archive collections. ⛄✉️
A pack of five cards are availble for £6 and each purchase will support the preservation of York’s history
#supportexplore #york #archives
Don't fret as you can still purchase some of our archive inspired Christmas cards and help conserve York’s archive collections. ⛄✉️
A pack of five cards are availble for £6 and each purchase will support the preservation of York’s history
#supportexplore #york #archives
19🎄
Today's block is inspired by York’s many varied and wonderful buskers and street performers. 🤹🎤
“I dressed the tightrope walker in a traditional harlequin costume – he would be recognised by people living in York in 1600 as well as today...” – Emily Harvey.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #archives
Today's block is inspired by York’s many varied and wonderful buskers and street performers. 🤹🎤
“I dressed the tightrope walker in a traditional harlequin costume – he would be recognised by people living in York in 1600 as well as today...” – Emily Harvey.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #archives
December 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
19🎄
Today's block is inspired by York’s many varied and wonderful buskers and street performers. 🤹🎤
“I dressed the tightrope walker in a traditional harlequin costume – he would be recognised by people living in York in 1600 as well as today...” – Emily Harvey.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #archives
Today's block is inspired by York’s many varied and wonderful buskers and street performers. 🤹🎤
“I dressed the tightrope walker in a traditional harlequin costume – he would be recognised by people living in York in 1600 as well as today...” – Emily Harvey.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #archives