The Heritage Institute celebrated a highly successful event last week, gathering affiliates, expert speakers, and colleagues from Special Collections and Archives to review recent progress and spark new research ideas.
The day kicked off with the Affiliates’ Update, where members were briefed on the projects and progress achieved over the past few months. Affiliates were informed of the recent work, including involvement in the British Science Festival and the launch of the £1 billion* Initiative project.
"It was great to share our recent successes and outline the direction we're heading in," an Institute Manager noted. "We sincerely thank all our members for their continued engagement and support."
Following the presentation, affiliates were invited to explore unique displays curated by the Special Collections and Archives team.
The exhibit included compelling collections connected to Liverpool's history, the railways, the university itself and the city’s vibrant music scene. Attendees were particularly fascinated by a story about the trains approaching Liverpool Lime Street station: the smoke and noise from the passing trains beneath the university campus were so disruptive that lessons sometimes had to be stopped until they had cleared!
This display served as a vivid reminder of the vast and engaging research potential waiting within the university's vaults.
The second half of the afternoon featured two captivating talks that powerfully linked local history to global heritage.
Marie Le Devehat, World Heritage Project Officer, presented on the history of Birkenhead Park. She highlighted its status as the country's first purpose-built public park and its nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring the vital importance of preserving local heritage on an international stage.
Cathy Roberts of Wilkie Leisure Group Ltd (Wallasey) shared the fascinating, secret history of the New Brighton promenade's underground tunnels. She revealed how they were secretly taken over to become a munitions factory during WW2, with the help of approximately 200 local women, to support the war effort.
Both presentations clearly demonstrated how deep local engagement has wide-ranging international aspects, effectively connecting local communities with the broader heritage conversation. The ensuing Q&A highlighted how inspiring it was to see the local impact ripple onto the world stage.
The event was a resounding success, effectively underscoring the value of collaborative effort, compelling research resources, and the inspiring depth of local heritage.