Hertfordshire Archives And Local Studies

Hertfordshire Archives And Local Studies Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies is the specialist centre for the discovery of Hertfordshire's heritage from 1060 to the present day.

Look out for a travelling exhibition of classic film posters across our libraries this summer. We're collaborating with ...
29/05/2026

Look out for a travelling exhibition of classic film posters across our libraries this summer. We're collaborating with the BFI National Archive to celebrate Hertfordshire's rich heritage of filmmaking by displaying posters from 11 iconic films, along with information about local filming locations, Hertfordshire studios and film history.

There will be opportunity to view all 11 posters together in a pop-up exhibition held at Hertfordshire Archive from 11th August - 6th September 2026.

Find out more, including a list of the films and participating libraries: https://bit.ly/4dp3esS

We're lucky to have an amazing collection of bills and receipts from the Delme Radcliffe family of Hitchin. They provide...
27/05/2026

We're lucky to have an amazing collection of bills and receipts from the Delme Radcliffe family of Hitchin. They provide fascinating insights into what the family was buying and the local shops and trades around at the time. This gorgeous letterhead bill dates to 1842-1843 and shows what the family was buying from C & T L Paternoster, a booksellers, bookbinders and stationers located in Sun Street, Hitchin (Ref: DE/R/F279/13).

Shown here are purchases between Jan - Jun, including "printing 100 cards from plate", "6 sheets of tracing paper" and entries for childrens' books of " Knowledge" and "Country things".

The bill contains a detailed illustration showing the shop in Sun Street. It is interesting to see the number of functions the shop had, not only selling books, but also bookbinding and printing services, as well as music and general stationery.

Hitchin Library Hitchin Historical Society

We are excited to announce that you will be able to see our oldest document, the 1060 Wheathamstead Charter, as part of ...
25/05/2026

We are excited to announce that you will be able to see our oldest document, the 1060 Wheathamstead Charter, as part of the forthcoming Bayeux Tapestry Experience at the British Museum .

Our charter was written six years before the Battle of Hastings and is of Edward the Confessor granting lands in Wheathamstead to Westminster Abbey. The document, written in Latin and Old English, was witnessed by several individuals who appear in the tapestry including King Edward the Confessor, Queen Edith, Archbishop Stigand, the future King Harold and his brother Gyrth; both shown in the Tapestry being killed at the battle of Hastings.

We will be displaying the charter before it moves to the British Museum, so keep a look out.

Harpenden Library Harpenden & District Local History Society Wheathampstead Community Library

We are Hiring!Passionate about heritage and customer service? Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies is looking for pe...
24/05/2026

We are Hiring!
Passionate about heritage and customer service? Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies is looking for people to join our team! https://tinyurl.com/yz9uk23v

Hertfordshire Family History Society Hertfordshire Museums Hertfordshire Libraries

The West Herts Hospital Book of Cooking recipes, dated 1926, was curated and published by the West Herts Hospital Ladies...
22/05/2026

The West Herts Hospital Book of Cooking recipes, dated 1926, was curated and published by the West Herts Hospital Ladies Linen League to raise funds for the Hospital Centenary Fun. Each recipe usually includes the name of who the recipe was offered by. The book is now 100 years old and one of our staff favourites.

There are some genuinely tasty offerings in this book as well as some "offally treats" that might not be so familiar these days!

Would you consider making any of these recipes? If so which one?

A memorable letterhead found amongst bills and receipts for the Earls of Essex of Watford, dated 22 November 1763 (ref 8...
20/05/2026

A memorable letterhead found amongst bills and receipts for the Earls of Essex of Watford, dated 22 November 1763 (ref 8742/74).

The bill is from Viny and Bragg, linen drapers at the Hen and Chickens in York Street, Covent Garden.

They family had a house in Stanhope Street, Mayfair and frequently shopped in London.

The bill (not shown) includes items such as linen, calico, cotton and ‘checked muslin’.

A customer came across this caricature of Ware Town Football players in 1929, from the Hertfordshire Mercury.. We just l...
15/05/2026

A customer came across this caricature of Ware Town Football players in 1929, from the Hertfordshire Mercury.. We just love how these players were depicted, and their array of haircuts!
We would love to know more about them. Can anyone help?

Ware Library Photos of Hertford, Ware and surround Ware Museum

BARGAIN ALERT!The Hertfordshire Record Society are holding a flash sale of a lot of their publications during the months...
13/05/2026

BARGAIN ALERT!

The Hertfordshire Record Society are holding a flash sale of a lot of their publications during the months of May and June. All reduced to just £2.00 per title.

Bag yourself a bargain via our website at the link below, while stocks last.

The Open Road Chili Parlour, a cafe and tea garden was located opposite Hatfield Aerodrome in the 1930s. Describing itse...
11/05/2026

The Open Road Chili Parlour, a cafe and tea garden was located opposite Hatfield Aerodrome in the 1930s. Describing itself as a "High-Class Cafe and Tea Garden" with "Ample parking space". This advert comes from a 1930s RAC guide to Hertfordshire in our Pamphlet files collection.

The name "The Open Road Chili Parlour" suggests that the establishment, as well as serving light refreshments and homemade cakes, may have served dishes such as "chili con carne" perhaps as a house speciality or a selection of various different recipes. This would have been quite an exciting and new food offering at the time!

Chili Parlours emerged during the early 1900s during America's westward rail expansion, being affordable eateries for railroad workers. It is interesting to see how this concept may have expanded into the UK, but in a slightly different way.

Our Pamphlet files are full of gems like this. Why not pop in and visit us and see what you can discover?

Old photographs are windows into the past and this is certainly true of this particular one. This group of women are stu...
08/05/2026

Old photographs are windows into the past and this is certainly true of this particular one. This group of women are students from Miss Crooks Gardening Club, Hockerill College in 1920. Some individuals definitely look as though they are enjoying themselves despite the posed nature of the photograph. There are a wide array of gardening implements on display including a garden roller.

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Hertford
SG138EJ

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

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