History Articles
History - Mar 2022
Falklands 40: Thanksgiving Service Photo
40 years ago, on 2 April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the Falkland Islands. Located in the South Atlantic, the islands are just 300 miles from the Argentinian mainland where they are known as the ‘Islas Malvinas’. They’d been a source of dispute between Britain and Argentina since the British first settled there in 1833.
History - Mar 2022
Ernest Shackleton
Ernest Henry Shackleton is widely known as one of the most inspirational leaders of the twentieth century and a key figure in the ‘Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration’ alongside Roald Amundsen and Plymouth-born Robert Falcon Scott. The recent discovery of the Endurance, his ship that sank to the bottom of the Weddell Sea over a century ago, has amazed people around the world. Learn more about his story here.
History - Oct 2021
Educating Elau
As part of Black History Month 2021, our Archivist uncovers the story of the first recorded Indigenous person to travel from Vanuatu to England. Her name was Elau and she was a seven year old girl from Erromango in the South Pacific.
History - Oct 2021
Would you like to help research Plymouth and west Devon in the 1920s?
'Devon in the 1920s' is a research project hosted by Devon History Society in partnership with The Box, the South West Heritage Trust and the Devon Family History Society. Individual researchers and local heritage groups are currently beavering away, researching local people and places from the 1920s.
Press Release - Jul 2021
New blue plaque highlights artist’s links with Devonport
A new blue plaque highlighting a special link with celebrated 18th century portrait artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds has been unveiled at Devonport Market Hall today – the 298th anniversary of his birth.
Press Release - Jun 2021
Elizabethan House set to reopen this July with new immersive audio-visual experience
Plymouth’s Elizabethan House will reopen on Tuesday 20 July following a major restoration as part of Plymouth’s Mayflower 400 commemorations.
History - Apr 2021
Blue plaque unveiled in honour of Plymouth air raid shelter
A new plaque marking the site of an air raid shelter where nine people tragically lost their lives during the Blitz has been unveiled today.
History - Apr 2021
Blitz 80: King George VI microphone
This microphone with its chrome mouthpiece and black plastic base is from our historic collections and was used at a really important event connected to World War II.
History - Apr 2021
Blitz 80: Images from the archives
Royal visits, the role of women, that famous Resurgam sign and the re-building of the city.....here are some more insights about Plymouth and World War II to mark Blitz 80 using some key images from our archives.
History - Apr 2021
Plymouth History Festival 2021
The Plymouth History Festival is set to return this year. It will run from 7-30 May with a series of exciting events brought to you from local heritage groups and The Box. The overarching theme for this year's Festival is wellbeing.
History - Apr 2021
Blitz 80: Insights from the archives
We'll be continuing to mark the 80th anniversary of the Blitz throughout April. Here, thanks to documents held within the city's archives, we highlight two lesser-known stories about Plymouth during the Second World War.
History - Apr 2021
Blitz 80: The Bomb Book
We continue our commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Plymouth Blitz with a document, well-known to many as the ‘bomb book’. It was compiled during World War II by the Town Clerk’s Department, which was based at Pounds House. It and can be seen on display in our 'Active Archives' gallery when we re-open from 18 May.