Botanical illustrator Stella Ross Craig is known for her skilled line drawings such as this Rosa tomentosa from her magnum opus 'Drawings of British Plants' - a series to which she dedicated 25 years. See other examples of her work in Kew's Library display, open Tues-Wed 10.00-4.00, until 21st May.

✨New Blog✨ For our February theme #EYAConnections we have a new blog from @livingrefarchives.bsky.social, exploring the refugee histories within their archive collections and the importance of building connections. www.exploreyourarchive.org/connecting-r... #ExploreYourArchive

🎨Stella Ross-Craig (1906-2006) is known for her skilled line drawings such as this Rosa tomentosa from her work 'Drawings of British Plants' - a series to which she dedicated 25 years! Keen to see other examples of her drawings in Kew's Library display? Details on the display below 👇 #KewLA

This 19th Century watercolour of the Chinese orchid Vanda concolor from Kew's Library is thought to have been illustrated by an unrecorded Chinese artist. See spectacular examples of live orchids on show as part of our Orchid Festival at Kew: 7 February - 8 March 2026 👉 www.kew.org/kew-gardens/...

Here are some books we came across during a project in the mycology library last week. Our Library and Archives collections do not only cover plants, but also fungi and lichens. Some have very beautiful illustrations. Others (like the cordyceps) are rather gruesome... 🍄🍄‍🟫🍄‍🟫 #KewLA

The research guide on Environmental History that I wrote for The National Archives, UK is now live! Includes research advice and resources on colonial environments, pollution, agriculture, and animal histories. Available here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-yo... #envhist #envhum

Amongst the notes of 19th century horticulturalist & botanist John Fraser, we spotted this list of unwelcome visitors to a property in Kew! John's ‘uninvited guests’ were botanical rather than human, including species such as thornapple and gallant soldier. How many can you recognise? #KewLA

I'm delighted to share details of the first of two workshops I'm hosting this year on The Senses and Medical Humanities. The first workshop will take place in Durham on 24 February. Spaces are limited, so reserve yours now. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-senses...

I've been lazy regarding reading articles/books/etc. for keeping up with archive/records management matters the last few years. Are anyone able to share recent reading lists from the archive courses? Or any recommendations on articles regarded as essential reading for the modern archivist?

🚨Seeking blogs for Explore Your Archive - if you or anyone you know would like to write about their collections for one of these themes, please do get in touch! We're always looking for more blogs to post: www.exploreyourarchive.org/the-stories-... A great way to get your collections out there 📜

🗺️What a multi-lingual collection: Jacques Gay was a botanist and collector from Switzerland and our Archives hold over 35 volumes of his manuscripts. He wrote mainly in French, although Latin and even Greek found its way into his writing as well. Any polyglots able to translate? #KewLA

I'll be talking about the Hope Botanic Gardens in Jamaica on 27th Jan, using records from the colonial archives at Kew Gardens 🌴 Signup here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/empires-pl...

💫 New themes! 💫 We’re very excited to announce the new monthly themes for 2026 - we can’t wait to see what you explore in your archives this year! #ExploreYourArchives

The portal for submitting a paper for our call for papers for ARA Conference 2026 is now open. The theme this year is 'Authenticity' All presentations in person in Glasgow 5-7 August. Go to: openingdoors-ara2026.eventsair.site/call-for-pap... for full details

Very proud to have worked with @edwinrose.bsky.social and our other partners in New Zealand and at Cambridge on this. Even happier to see the fruits of Sydney Parkinson’s skill and efforts in glorious high resolution detail nhm.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/44... #botanicalart #collaboration

We're joining the Heritage Fund UK in celebrating #HeritageTreasures! Kew's Marianne North Gallery was completed in 1882, with much needed restoration work done on the Gallery and its paintings in 2008. The restoration was made possible in part with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund 🎨🖌️

A Bluesky challenge! We've got so many great heritage/GLAM accounts here now, that some are flying under the radar From national organisations to niche collections, these active accounts are all (at time of posting) under 500 followers-lowest at 9-how many can we get over 500? go.bsky.app/U16Nwsw

In case you've seen the story about “grok now only generates images for paid users”, it's untrue. Apparently everyone just reported it because… it was what grok told them 🤦🏼 www.theverge.com/news/859309/...

🌷For anyone in the area and a couple of hours to spare next Thursday (15th Jan), why not sign up to one of our art workshops all around the Persian materials in our archive? Sign up for the morning slot here: forms.office.com/e/GKeEBrVbip and the afternoon slot here: forms.office.com/e/NbyM9x4WM8

If you ever wondered what biochemical traces of past users of medical recipes may tell us about early modern haircare, see @uk.theconversation.com's discussion of our @historians.org article: doi.org/10.64628/AB.... Research supported by @thejohnrylands.bsky.social & @britishacademy.bsky.social

We've all mislaid our keys, but this one made it to the other side of the world! The Library and Archives were delighted when Adelaide Botanic Garden recently arranged for donation of a key that was previously owned by Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck - granddaughter of King George III #KewLA

Job Opportunity! We're looking for a Graduate Trainee Archivist. #archives www.trin.cam.ac.uk/vacancies/gr...

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our research & collections teams here at Kew! We're looking forward to sharing more stories and highlights with you in 2026 🎄 Beautiful illustration below from our LAA team #KewLA 👇

🌺If you're free on 15th January and would like to find out more about our Persian collections, why not sign up for one of our art workshops? More info in the booking links below 👇#KewLA Morning slot: https://ow.ly/x0cl50XMcGy Afternoon slot: https://ow.ly/IvwE50XMcGz

🌸If you're free on 15th January, why not sign up for one of our art workshops relating to our Persian collections? We ran some with Persian communities in November and they were such a great experience! These workshops are open for all but will be the same content as the last ones (but shorter!). 🌷

This was such a cool find! Lots more to dig into and research 🎶🎻

In January, we're running 2 public workshops. If you're interested, please email [email protected]. They are funded by the fabulous British Institute of Persian Studies. #PersianHistory #Archives #KewLA

📆 If you're around (online) this Wednesday (10th Dec) at 5pm GMT, why not join @shabnambalouch.bsky.social and me for a talk about the Persian materials in our Archive collections? You may even see some things currently not on display 🤫 Register here: www.bips.ac.uk/event/beyond...

Do we have archives relating to your history? Probably! Our archive reflects global histories & is open to all. Conservator Shabnam Balouch has helped uncover our Persian archive, and you can find out more at an upcoming talk & our free public workshops in January! #EYAYourArchives #KewLA

For #EYAAnniversaries, we delved into collections on our Millennium Seed Bank, which opened at Wakehurst 25 years ago. Among the reports & articles on the development of one of the world’s largest seed banks, we discovered publicity materials featuring none other than Sir David Attenborough! #KewLA

We hosted these workshops a couple of weeks ago and they were such a fantastic experience! Archives should be all about public engagement and including everyone 🌷 #EYAInclusion

For #EYADigital, we’re looking back at how Kew managed its corporate records - from filing paper documents to reviewing which should be archived or securely destroyed. While some paper files remain, we now support staff in managing records effectively in a primarily digital environment. #KewLA

Did you know botanist Sir Joseph Hooker travelled with two Bhotea mastiff dogs? Today’s featured image for #ExploreYourArchive Week #EYAPets is a playful drawing from his letters, showing Kinchin the dog being ‘taught’ to write.

For #EYASilence, we thought it fitting to look back at a time in which the Gardens had to be silent. This instruction sheet, issued during the Blitz in WWII, and an air raid logbook detail how the frequency of bombing raids led to the regular suppression of daily operations. #KewLA

One our oldest things and an exciting day when we stumbled across it 🤓 #EYAMedieval

What #EYABeauty lies on the inside of this unassuming folder? We're showing off Elsie Wakefield's fungi illustrations today 🍄 Wakefield became Head of Mycology at Kew Gardens in 1915 and our Archives hold her personal papers collection, which includes letters, illustrations and photographs. #KewLA

🌲 Follow along for this year's #ExploreYourArchive posts - we've picked some great items from our collections 🤓 #EYA #EYAConservation

On #NationalTreeWeek we'd like to highlight the incredible efforts of Kew's past colleagues who were faced with the challenging task of moving trees across the Gardens. This photograph from Kew's Library and Archives depicts William Barron's ingenious horse-drawn tree transporter 🌳 #KewLA

Ready to take your library career to the next level? Applications are now open for international mid to senior library and archive professionals to join us in July 2026 for the International Library Leaders Programme. Learn more bit.ly/BL-ILLP

Did you know Kew’s Library and Archives hold 7,000+ Indian illustrations? This vibrant Pajanelia longifolia piece by Vishnupersad - commissioned by Nathaniel Wallich - is now on show. Explore Flora Indica at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery through April 2026. #KewLA

Autumn is in full swing, and so is mushroom season! This lovely engraving is from the 1675 book "Theatrum Fungorum" by Belgian priest and mycologist Franciscus van Sterbeeck. The facial expressions of the children above the doorway symbolise edible (left) versus poisonous (right) mushrooms. #KewLA

Today on #ArmisticeDay, we're remembering the Kew staff who served during both World Wars and balanced their lives in science and horticulture with duty and sacrifice 🧵👇 #KewLA

🎨 What are the colours of care? Join us online for a fascinating talk exploring the history of colour in 20th century hospitals in Britain. Free and open to all! 🎟️Book your place: https://bit.ly/4qfnEc6 Image: Mary Barnes: At the Well, oil on board, c/o Falkland Estate.

Always a great day to promote our collections and engage with researchers and other organisations 🤓 #HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social

Fantastic case study on the application of #recordsincontext and how it can help indigenous and minority communities create more cohesive and visible histories! ica-egad.github.io/RiC-AG/case_...

The Britain Zimbabwe Society is hosting Guardians of Knowledge – Libraries and Information in Zimbabwe. This event will feature a stunning panel discussing their experiences of setting up and running libraries for their local communities. 📍Online 📅 Nov 15; 12-3pm GMT Learn more: bit.ly/47Br4gY

🌷 If you'd like to find out more about the exhibition @shabnambalouch.bsky.social and I co-curated, do have a read of our blog post! We go into a bit more detail on the research and collections involved. 🌷

There are two archival traineeships available at the @eui-euarchives.bsky.social including one for AV archives. If you know a student or recent graduate that might be interested this is a great international opportunity! www.eui.eu/about/jobopp...

Ever wondered what stories lie behind Kew’s collections? 🌍 Today’s the day to find out – it’s #AskAnArchivist Day! Our archivists are here to answer your questions about rare books, explorers’ journals and the care of centuries-old plant records. Ask below 👇 #AskAnArchivist #KewArchives

Still time to register for this event! Go go go!