#OTD 150 years ago John Bacchus Dykes died. Born in Hull in 1823, he learnt to play piano and violin, later composing over 300 hymn tunes, including one of the most famous maritime Hymns, ‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’. #Hull @durhamcathedral.bsky.social @USNavyBand

One of the first departments established at @uniofhull.bsky.social was Zoology. In our latest blog we explore some recently discovered letters that give us a fascinating insight into the work of the first Head, Professor Alister Clavering Hardy. tinyurl.com/yh9ewue6 #Hull @royalsociety.org

This is good - they've found a stretch of Hull's medieval northern walls, in about the highlighted area on this section of the Tudor plan. @hullcitycouncil.bsky.social @hulllibraries.bsky.social

@uniofhull.bsky.social @hullhistorycentre.bsky.social @hullhistorynerd.bsky.social

Yesterday in 1903, Harry Houdini performed at the Palace Theatre, exhibiting there several times. He jumped from Corporation Pier in 1914 and parts of his film, Haldane of the Secret Service were filmed here: tinyurl.com/h6h5d752 (Image: Houdini in the Humber) #Hull #HarryHoudini

We're open to the public today, Saturday 20 December 9.30-12.30 and then Tuesday 23 9.30-4.30. We're then have our Christmas break and reopen Saturday 2 January 2026 at 9.30. Best wishes to all our users for Christmas and the New Year. (Image: Queens Gardens, 1957)

Yesterday marks the 20th Birthday to the History Centre Partnership - signed in 2005 between @hullcitycouncil.bsky.social and @uniofhull.bsky.social It provided the firm foundation to establish with HeritageFundUK support a then ground-breaking joint archives service.

Don't miss out last talk of the year tomorrow at 12.30. ‘Larkin and Ted Tarling: a developing friendship’ by Graham Chesters of the @plsoc.bsky.social. Admission is free - as are the mince pies! There is also a small accompanying exhibition. @VisitHullEvents @Hull_Museums @hull_libraries

#OTD in 1734 the iconic King Billy statue was officially opened. Made by Flemish sculptor P. Scheemakers it replaced an earlier Market Cross. It has served as a landmark in the city ever since. The image is the earliest depiction in 1735. #PeterScheemakers #Hull

Sewa Singh Gola was one of the first Sikhs to move to Hull in the 1970s, and a founding member of the first gurdwara in the city. We are currently working with his family to create an archive about Sewa’s life and the wider Sikh community in Hull www.itv.com/watch/news/h...

We reopen today after our stocktaking closure. Excellent work by the team on cataloguing building plan files (Building Control and City Architect's) and repackaging Local Studies photographs so they're easier to retrieve and use. @hulllibraries.bsky.social #Hull

Last chance to see our newest exhibit, Tracks Through Time: The Story of Hull's Railways which will be taken down on 11 December. If you haven't seen it, do come along and find out some interesting facts you may not have known! @Railway200 #Hull #HistoryoftheRailway

Though we are closed this week, we are still busy behind the scenes. Here you can see a few plans of old and new Drypool Bridge that were recently catalogued. #ArchiveDiscoveries #Hull

Tuesday 11 November - today's talk is "The Hull to Grimsby Hovercraft Service" with Paul Drury-Bradey. 12.30pm, free admission. @hulllibraries.bsky.social @VisitHullEvents

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." War Memorial Fountain, 1922, Reckitt's, Dansom Lane, #Hull @thisisreckitt.bsky.social #RemembranceDay @hulllibraries.bsky.social

With Patisserie week just gone and the finals coming up on #GBBO here is our take, as part of our #HistoryBakers series, Mrs K. Leng’s Dorset Apple Cake. Who doesn’t like Apple Cake! tinyurl.com/y4ruvmme

#OTD in 1909 M. E. Ling of #Hull arrived in Edinburgh to attempt to fly across the Firth. The Ling Monoplane, later known as the Newington Monoplane was designed and built in the city. It was one of the regions first attempts at flight. #HistoryofFlight @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social Flight

Yesterday marked the 220th anniversary of #Trafalgar. Doubtless many #Hull seamen fought there in the Navy - voluntarily or otherwise. A replica of HMS Pickle, the vessel which brought news of the battle to Britain, is moored in Hull tinyurl.com/2rbz9n6z Hull Maritime Hull Libraries Royal Navy

Join us on 15 November as we celebrate the friendship of Philip Larkin and local artist Ted Tarling. Come and draw objects from Larkin’s archive, and hear about the fascinating life and career of Ted Tarling. More details and tickets available here: bit.ly/470FTcI #PhilipLarkin #Drawing

Our Lego Family Club returns this Saturday, so don't forget to come on down and see what creations you can come up with. #LEGO

Don’t forget, as part of our new railway exhibit, we have a series of prints available for purchase. Including locos of the NER, H&BR and LNER, as well as various Hull Stations and crossings. You can also grab a badge or fridge magnet! #RailwayHistory #Hull

Our latest History Bakers blog is now live. To tie in with bread week we have Scotch Crumpets, or are they pancakes? Tell us what you think! tinyurl.com/3r2edt77 @britishbakeoff.bsky.social #GBBO #HistoryBakers

Discover more about Bransholme Castle with Neil Chadwick, History Centre Archivist/Librarian who spoke up with BBC Radio Humberside's Hidden East Yorkshire team tinyurl.com/yydk4zk7 @hulllibraries.bsky.social

If you have been enjoying our history themed bakes, then why not try this one: tinyurl.com/426xxvna The recipe is for Bread baked with Rice and dates to 1800. @britishbakeoff.bsky.social #Historybakers #GBBO

#OTD in 1066 the Battle of Stamford Bridge was fought. 1066 was perhaps the most pivotal year in English history (it gives us our most famous date) it is probable that men from this area were present fighting for King Harold against the Norsemen headed by Harold Hardrada, King of Norway

Today is the start of our new exhibit, Tracks Through Time: The Story of Hull’s Railways. Come on down and find out how the railways helped shape Hull as we know it. #RailwayHistory #Hull @railway200.bsky.social @railwaymuseum.bsky.social

With biscuit week just gone here is another recipe: tinyurl.com/3hmaf9ec (biscuits were popular among the staff), this one is more than 50 years old. Watch out next week for bread. #GBBO @britishbakeoff.bsky.social

As part of @HeritageOpenDays we are currently running daily tours. We still have places left for tomorrows. If you are interested please get in touch and come explore some of Hull's history though the archives. #HODs #Hull

If you enjoyed our previous History Bakers blog check out our recipe for biscuits: Mrs Palmers Sugar Jumbles tinyurl.com/29apnm6a Saul Nassé Chief Executive and Keeper of Public Records at TNA seemed to enjoy them on his recent visit! @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy #GBBO

We’re big fans of sweet treats here at the History Centre, so with the new series of @britishbakeoff.bsky.social underway we've decided to run a bake-along using historical recipes from the archives. You can read all about the first offering in our latest blog post: tinyurl.com/2p9j4p87

As part of national Heritage Open Days, Hull History Centre is offering additional behind the scenes tours on 16-18 Sept, as well as a local studies book and map sale (16-18, 20 Sept) - see you there!

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of modern rail we will be hosting a special exhibition. Tracks Through Time: The Story of Hull’s Railways will explore how rail played a key role in the city’s development from 1840 to the present. @railway200.bsky.social #hull #locomotive #RailwayHistory

As @RootedinHull are holding Drypool Feast on Saturday 6 September, here's Drypool Green - the original location of the Feast - in 1904. Ranks flour mill looms in the background. @hulllibraries.bsky.social

Today marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender, known as Victory in Japan Day, which brought World War II to an end. Below is a file containing documents on the organisation of celebration events and activities including hospital visits and a procession. #VJDay #WW2 #Hull

The Premier League starts this weekend so here's the programme for Hull City's opening match of the 1946 season against Lincoln City in Division 3 (Northern) of English Football League (EFL) @hulllibraries.bsky.social

It was great to welcome the group from @HullBranch of the Royal British Legion for a tour of the History Centre yesterday. Thank you for coming and we're glad you enjoyed it! @hulllibraries.bsky.social

Don't forget that we are open tomorrow for Lego Club, a free drop in event for you and your little ones. It runs from 10.00-12.00, you can also view artwork for local Victorian artist F. S. Smith.

Today is #YorkshireDay and tho' #Hull's not been part of Yorkshire in local govt terms since 1440, it's Yorkshire for sport! Here's @YorkshireCCC walking out to play @surreycricket 1968 at The Circle, film on @BFI site at tinyurl.com/4c4kpky8 @hulllibraries.bsky.social

History Centre merch alert! Have you ever wanted a badge showing a small piece of Edwardian #Hull? We're making and selling these to tie in with our FS Smith Exhibition! £1 each. @hulllibraries.bsky.social

The closure of Drypool Bridge for repair is in the news. The first bridge roughly on the site was this timber, temporary structure built in 1541 for access to Henry VIII's new fortifications. Copy of mid-C16th map from the Cotton Mss. @hulllibraries.bsky.social @britishlibrary.bsky.social

To mark the centenary of his death, a selection of previously unseen and unpublished F.S. Smith illustrations are now on display at the History Centre until 28 August @hulllibraries.bsky.social

50 years ago, Anthony Minghella graduated from Hull University with 1st in English Drama. Director of the films: Truly Madly Deeply, The English Patient, The Talented Mr Ripley and Cold Mountain. Here you can see a programme for his debut adapted stage work.

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the History Centre? Now you can find out on one of our free guided tours! First and third Saturdays, 11am-12pm To book your place get in touch with us at: [email protected]

We're very excited about our forthcoming exhibition of previously unseen drawings of Victorian Hull by FS Smith who died 100 years ago this year. 15 July to 28 August, opening times on our website. @hulllibraries.bsky.social

This month in 1936 Hull was visited by the tall ship Viking, a steel hulled barque that sailed the grain races from Australia to Europe. On arrival at Alexandra Dock, spectators could see the great golden dragons on her bow. The vessel, now a hotel lays in Gothenberg. #barkenviking Hull Maritime

It was good to see the public at #ArmedForcesDay2025 in King Edward St. We hope you enjoyed the day and learnt a bit about Hull's contributions to the armed forces. @Hull_Museums @hulllibraries.bsky.social

#OTD in 1981 Humber Bridge opened to traffic. At the time it was the longest bridge of its type! Here you can see the bridge on the day of the opening ceremony and a few former proposals from 1883 and 1933. @HumBridgeNews #EastRidingofYorkshire

For #RefugeeWeek here’s a photo of the International Voluntary Service for Peace (IVS) in Northern Spain, who from July 1937 to March 1938 cared for child refugees from the Spanish Civil War. The IVS archive was deposited with Hull University Archives in 1991 @hulllibraries.bsky.social

16-22 June is Refugee Week. #Hull, like elsewhere in the UK received citizens from abroad because of the instability and upheaval caused by the French Revolution and resulting Napoleonic rule, like Samuel Jacobs of Poland mentioned here @hulllibraries.bsky.social

The recent unveiling of sculptures in Roos commemorating #JRRTolkien's time in the East Riding reminds us that our friend Phil Mathison, local historian involved in the project, curated this display about Tolkien in Yorkshire in 2018. @hulllibraries.bsky.social