Coinciding with this year’s Local History Month, Historic England has launched a new Local Heritage Hub. With nearly 400 locations, every county, city, district, and major town in England now has a dedicated digital page that uncovers its rich and layered history.
Offering a wide range of content, from fascinating aerial photographs showing towns and villages through time, to curated selections of listed buildings, videos, blogs, and podcasts, the Local Heritage Hub invites members of the public to discover their local area through a new lens.
With 71%i of people wanting to see more recognition of heritage in their area and 58%iiagreeing that local heritage enhances their daily lives, this new platform reflects what people are looking for in their local areas. It’s designed not only to inform, but also to also encourage people to see familiar places in unfamiliar ways.
Manchester’s diverse entries include Cavendish Primary School’s Jacobean Revivalist style built in 1904, Charter Street Mission, Oxford Road Station as well as more modern buildings including Pall Mall Court and New Century House
The new service – which will continue to expand with new places, information, and sections added over time – will make local heritage and histories more relevant, relatable, and engaging to more people’s everyday lives, inspiring conversations, unlocking memories, and sparking new interests.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England said: “Understanding and connecting with local heritage is an important part of building strong communities. With this new service, we hope people across England will be able to explore hidden histories, reconnect with their surroundings, and feel a sense of pride in their local area. I’d encourage everyone to explore the new Local Heritage Hub and see what they might discover about a place that means something to them.”
Catherine Dewar, Regional Director, North West, Historic England said: “From magnificent mills, to bustling historic high streets and much-loved seaside heritage, we all know that the North West is chock-full of incredible historic places that make it such a wonderful place to live and work in today. I’m delighted that the new Local Heritage Hub will help highlight the images, memories, and stories that connect people with these places.
“I’m particularly fond of the historic aerial photography that allows you to fly up and down our coastline through time, uncovering hidden histories from local communities and places over the last 100 years. I can’t wait to see how people get involved in shaping their own digital local heritage, and how the Local Heritage Hub grows and develops over time.”
