To celebrate #ShakespeareWeek we visit this crowded stage at Herbert Strutt School, Belper, in the 1950s. The play Twelfth Night is being performed and you can’t help but be impressed by the detailed costumes. #WorldTheatreDay #PhotoFriday #1950s

New in our #LocalStudies library: the ‘Dew’, ‘Blushing’ and ‘Seen it all’ are trees in Derby Arboretum which feature in Paul Wood’s concise and fascinating compendium on fabulous trees and where to find them. #EYAWildlife #tree

This drawing from March 1787 shows Mrs. Abington, née Frances Barton (1737-1815), as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. She was a Covent Garden flower girl, a maid and a ballad singer before making her debut on stage in 1755. #ShakespeareWeek #WomensHistoryMonth #theatre

Derbyshire’s countryside is full of wildlife wonders. This recording from 2013 features Steve Furness describing the unique flowers and animals along the River Derwent in Calver. Can you hear any in the background? #EYAWildlife #LocalHistory #OralHistory

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is this photo of ‘Old Alice’ of Little Eaton c.1900. She lived nearly 20 years outdoors with only a wooden bacon box for shelter before entering Shardlow Workhouse, where she died in 1927. A powerful reminder of the strength found in even the toughest lives. #WomensHistoryMonth

Do you recognise some of these faces? They were drawn by a young Jack Bronson of Loscoe, who would have been in his teens during World War II. #WorldWarII #caricature

Anyone else looking forward to summer days like this? A classic 1987 snapshot of visitors relaxing on the banks of the River Wye in Monsal Dale from the Peak District National Park image archive. All that is missing is a thermos of tea and cheese and pickle sandwiches... #LandscapesUnlocked

This photograph is of the library at Bridgehill House in Belper, before it was demolished in the 1930s. With so many books, it's highly likely that there's some Shakespeare there somewhere… #ShakespeareWeek

On #WorldPoetryDay we've chosen this book of poems from soldiers of the Sherwood Foresters serving in France and Belgium during the First World War. These records of thoughts written down on scraps of paper when time allowed, are poignant and often surprisingly witty. #WWI

A simple but important job in archive preservation… unfolding letters! Over time folds and creases can turn into damage and tears, so it’s much better to store them flat. We think it’s also quite a soothing task… #OddlySatisfying #ArchivePreservation #CollectionsCare #BehindTheScenes

On #InternationalDayofHappiness you can’t help but smile at this picture. These are wounded soldiers and their nurses during the First World War. We wish we knew what had been said, because it’s certainly put a smile on everyone’s faces. #PhotoFriday #WomensHistoryMonth #WWI

8 trains. 80 buses. 3,700 adventurers. In 1939, Chesterfield’s Robinson & Sons Ltd whisked their entire workforce off to London for a day they’d never forget! Meet the fabulous “Robo’s Angels” as they take on the capital in style 🚂💃 #1930s recordoffice.wordpress.com/2026/03/13/r...

Our #LocalStudies library book 'Buxton. A People’s History' by Mike Langham looks at the personality of the town, and the people and events which shaped it. Fascinating for those interested in the heritage, history and conservation of Buxton. Buy a copy in our bookshop for only £1.50. #LocalHistory

Our latest #NewAccession is a photo of an art class at Barrow Hill Infants in 1935. The teacher is Alice Johnson. Born in Clay Cross, she studied at Cambridge. After teaching at Clay Cross County Secondary School, Alice was headteacher at Barrow Hill between 1930 and 1950. #WomensHistoryMonth

Parish magazines are goldmines for local history—not just the articles, but the adverts too. Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek are Eyam parish magazines from the 1940s–60s, revealing long‑gone village businesses and even bus routes and travel habits. Fascinating windows into everyday life!

Sunday driving 1950s style! This fabulous image from the Peak District National Park image archive shows just how popular Monsal Head has always been. Spot any favourites among these vintage beauties? #LandscapesUnlocked #PeakDistrictNationalPark #1950s #VintageCars #cars

This colourful #WWI poster encourages women to buy war savings as a way to contribute to the war effort. The image of Joan of Arc is used to represent how by buying these certificates, you too could be a female war hero like Joan of Arc. #WomensHistoryMonth #FirstWorldWar

How lovely to wake up in the morning to a good cup of tea? These men are doing just that though we can’t say if they’ve had a good night’s sleep. They’re camping at Kinder Scout in the #1960s and we’re just not sure how comfortable that tent was. #PhotoFriday #WorldSleepDay

A throwback to 1997: children from Barlborough Primary School learning all about rainforest wildlife — complete with curious faces and big imaginations. A lovely snapshot of classroom exploration! #EYAWildlife #1990s

For upwards of 5 centuries church bells have marked major events locally and nationally. ‘Ting Tangs, Trebles and Tenors’ investigates the history of 36 church belfries: a superb guide to an often overlooked topic. Find it in our #LocalStudies or buy a copy for £3.00 in our bookshop. #LocalHistory

This #NewAccession is a little more complicated to catalogue than most. Our archivists will be getting out their university training notes to catalogue the oldest of these deeds and identifying their connection to each other might be even harder! #archives #17thCentury

In the early 19th Century, Eleanor Anne Porden, a published poet with a passionate interest in science, made these short notes about lectures she attended at the Royal Institution. #BritishScienceWeek

#OnThisDay 150 years ago the first telephone call was made! Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is this 1880s advert surviving in the Eckington parish collection. Did the vicar make calls with this Victorian 'hands free' phone, we wonder? #Victorian

Our Archives and Local Studies Manager Sarah met up with Glenn Jones from Radio Derby to talk about George Widdows, the architect who revolutionised school design in the early 20th century by putting the wellbeing of children first. Listen on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0n4vfhl

Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, was a prolific writer, thinker and scientist in the late 17th century. Despite the fact she herself couldn't speak Latin, her dual biography of her and her husband, William Cavendish, was published in Latin in 1668. #WomensHistoryMonth #BritishScienceWeek

Who remembers the days when buses had conductors to take your fares from you rather than handing them to the driver? Here we are on the upper deck of a busy Derby Corporation bus in the early 1950s. Hold very tight please! #PhotoFriday #WomensHistoryMonth #1950s

This fabulous print of an arctic wolf and landscape was based on drawings made by Lieutenant Robert Hood and Lieutenant George Back during #SirJohnFranklin's first Arctic land expedition in 1819. #EYAWildlife #arctic #19thCentury #wolf

On #WorldBookDay we celebrate local author Alison Uttley. Born 1884 in Cromford she wrote many children’s books including her novel 'A traveller in time' about Mary Queen of Scots. This modern edition is beautifully illustrated. A recommended read for everyone. #LocalStudies

Noting down and passing on family recipes is nothing new: our latest #NewAccession is an 1816 notebook titled “Recipes", possibly by Phillip Hall from Swanwick Grange in Alfreton. It even contains recipes for natural remedies to treat things like coughs. #19thCentury

To celebrate British Pie Week, our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is this recipe for oyster pie from about 300 years ago! Up to you whether to make it, or just enjoy the vocabulary, such as caudle and verjuice. #BritishPieWeek #HistoricRecipe

This beautiful document is a Roll of Service to commemorate former pupils at Anthony Gell School, then known as Wirksworth Grammar School, who served during the First World War. Each entry includes a name and their regiment. #WWI #FirstWorldWar

We couldn’t find a Derbyshire polar bear for #InternationalPolarBearDay, but here’s a wintry scene where we’re sure one would feel right at home. This is Batham Gate Road in Buxton in the snowy winter of 1963. Are those footprints or bear tracks? #PhotoFriday #snow #1960s

Our Senior Conservator, Lien, recently met up with Glenn Jones from Radio Derby to give him a sneak peek behind the scenes and explain how we look after our records. You can listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0n2ljvj

Are your thoughts turning to summer holidays on sandy beaches? Perhaps you could do with some lovely new woollen bathing costumes, such as these 1929 ones from George Brettle & Company Ltd of Belper. #1920s #HistoricFashion #VintageSwimwear

New in our #LocalStudies library, 'Strutt Street Belper – ‘The First Fifty Years’ is a fascinating study of street development from the first proposal of a thoroughfare in 1877, to the interconnected history of its residents and businesses up until 1939. #EYAConnections #LocalHistory

Our latest #NewAccession is the recipe book of Fred Croft, apprentice baker at Wrigley and Son, confectioners, Matlock. Fred took it to France whilst serving during the First World War. It was returned to his family after Fred was killed at the Battle of the Somme. #WWI #HistoricRecipes

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek, this fascinating notebook, shows that if you were travelling from Chesterfield to London in 1840 you would have changed coach 17 times and have needed 65 horses in total! The 158 mile journey would have taken 7 hours and 45 minutes. #EYAConnections

Missing the Winter Olympics already? Then here is a fabulous shot of skiers on Mam Tor back in 1979. The image is part of the Peak District National Park photography archive, currently being catalogued for the #LandscapesUnlocked project. #snow #PeakDistrict #1970s

This letter was written by James Leslie Riley of South Darley, to his daughter, Jeanne, whilst he was serving during #WorldWarTwo, sending her birthday wishes and kisses. James tragically died as a prisoner of war during a mining accident whilst forcibly working in a Polish coal mine. #WW2

It may well be #LoveYourPetDay but we wonder if Dr Josiah Court of Staveley minded his dog jumping up the side of his shiny car? He seems to be smiling so obviously doesn’t mind the odd scratch. #PhotoFriday

Our #LocalStudies book 'Heraldry for the Local Historian & Genealogist' is a favourite read of our Archives Assistant Amanda. A guide to the mysteries of heraldry’s language, interpreting heraldry on buildings, street furniture, household items, beautifully illustrated. #NationalYearOfReading

Our latest #NewAccession are deeds for a dwellinghouse in Buxton. They begin in 1829; later the property becomes known as 17 & 19 Spring Gardens, then The Hardwick Hotel in the #1970s. This was demolished to allow access to the Springs Shopping Centre.

Have you had enough snowfall this week to strap on some skis? Maybe choose some twenty-first century ones rather than these early twentieth century ones though! We do rather like the coat… #snow #skiing #WinterOlympics #1900s

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is a Gresley Hockey Club fixture card for the 1938/9 season, part of the Sharpe Bros & Co Ltd, Swadlincote collection. It remains a mystery how this came to be grouped with the papers of sanitary earthenware manufacturers… #1930s #hockey

How about giving your pancakes a historical twist this year, with this early 19th century recipe? It contains a pint of cream, orange flower water and three spoonfuls of sweet wine... recordoffice.wordpre... #PancakeDay #ShroveTuesday #FoodHistory #HistoricRecipe

It's #LGBTHistoryMonth , and for researchers into this subject it can be challenging to find material, with stories and experiences of the LGBT+ community often being concealed, and sources not immediately obvious. Have a look at our guide for a few tips:

On this #ValentinesDay we send waltzing whispers of love to all our wonderful visitors and social media followers 💕 #valentine #music #1900s

On #WorldRadioDay we join some of the staff of BBC Radio Derby, celebrating their 10th birthday in 1981. We doubt you’d see many vinyl records being played in the studio nowadays. #PhotoFriday #1980s

We love this small-scale plan of the navigable canal connecting Chesterfield to the River Trent near Stockwith, surveyed in 1770 by J Lodge, showing journey distances and landmarks along the route. What an amazing achievement it was! #EYAConnections #18thCentury

On #DarwinDay, here is a letter Charles Darwin sent to geologist and archaeologist William Boyd Dawkins in 1874. Darwin thanks him for lending him a copy of his book on Cave Hunting and says he has been reading WBD's article on the Basques "with much interest". #19thCentury