Business Details
18 Years
experience
Carnegie Heritage Information Centre - Preserving Hull's History Since 2008
As the custodians of Hull's historic Carnegie building, we have dedicated ourselves to preserving local and family history since our establishment in 2008. Our team of experienced historians and archivists work tirelessly to maintain this Grade II listed structure while providing public access to extensive historical resources. Through collaborative efforts with local societies like the East Yorkshire Family History Society, we offer educational programs, curated exhibitions, and research facilities that serve both academic researchers and community members.Our commitment to heritage preservation is demonstrated through our meticulous restoration work and ongoing community engagement initiatives that ensure Hull's rich history remains accessible to future generations.
Services
Local History Research
Family History Courses
Historical Exhibitions
Community Events
Archival Access
Book Sales
Genealogy Workshops
Historical Talks
Document Preservation
Public Lectures
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We offer free access to extensive local history archives and resources
- Our team includes experienced historians and archivists
- We provide educational courses and community events
- Our centre is housed in a historic 1905 Carnegie library
- We collaborate with local history societies for expert support
Services
Local History Research
We provide free access to extensive local history archives including books, maps, and historical documents. Our collection contains over 9,000 items relating to Hull's history, with specialist resources covering the city's community centres, maritime heritage, and notable residents. Knowledgeable volunteers assist researchers in exploring our indexed materials and digital resources.
Family History Courses
Our structured family history courses teach research techniques and record interpretation. The five-week intermediate program covers advanced genealogy methods, access to restricted records, and family tree construction. Courses run during term time with expert instruction from experienced family history specialists and access to our extensive archival resources.
Historical Exhibitions
We curate regular exhibitions showcasing Hull's rich history through original artifacts, photographs, and documents. Exhibitions cover diverse topics from maritime disasters to community centre development, with accompanying talks and educational materials. Display spaces are available for community groups to showcase their historical collections and research findings.
Community Events
Monthly historical talks feature expert speakers on local history topics, with additional special events throughout the year. Our calendar includes book sales, research workshops, and collaborative events with heritage organisations. All events aim to engage the public with Hull's cultural heritage through accessible programming.
Archival Access
We maintain and provide access to historical documents including the former Hull College Local History Unit collection. Our archival services include document preservation, cataloguing assistance, and access to rare historical materials. Researchers can explore digitised records and physical collections with volunteer support available for complex inquiries.
People
Liz Shepherd
Founder & Director
Liz Shepherd initiated the Carnegie Heritage Action Team in 2006 to save the historic library building. As the driving force behind its transformation into a heritage centre, she negotiated the lease agreement and established partnerships with local history organisations.
Paul Gibson
Local Historian
Local historian Paul Gibson collaborated with Liz Shepherd in 2006 to assess the Carnegie building's condition. He contributed to the centre's establishment by helping secure historical collections and developing educational programming for public engagement with Hull's heritage.
Questions
What services does Carnegie Heritage Centre offer?
We provide local history research facilities, family history courses, historical exhibitions, community events, and archival access to Hull's heritage materials.
When is the centre open to the public?
We're open Monday mornings for family history courses, Monday afternoons for helpdesk support, and Tuesday/Friday mornings for general access.
Can I access family history resources at the centre?
Yes, we offer genealogy workshops, family history courses, and access to archives through our partnership with East Yorkshire Family History Society.
Are there educational programs available?
We run intermediate family history courses during term time and host monthly historical talks on various local history topics.
How can I access historical archives?
Our archives are accessible during opening hours with volunteer assistance available to help navigate our collection of books, maps, and historical documents.