Blog

Bristol and Nairobi – a new archives partnership

by Dr Liz Haines, University of Bristol At the beginning of April I travelled to Nairobi along with Dr Neil Carrier. Our visit was part of a project—funded by the University of Bristol—to begin exploring the potential for collaboration and research…

Dinosaur goes on study leave

by Debs Hutchinson, geology curator The amazing Scelidosaurus dinosaur fossil that usually takes pride of place in the Dinosaurs Gallery at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery has temporarily been taken off display so that it can be thoroughly studied by an…

The first IVF mother: the Lesley Brown collection

by Allie Dillon and Nicky Sugar At Bristol Archives, we take in a large number of collections each year, and look after the memories of many notable Bristolians. But a first for us was receiving a donation of material from someone who was famous befo…

Ian Matthews: Best Bristol music moments

by Fiona Russell, museum graphic designer As we prepare to open the doors to our Bristol Music exhibition, we caught up with Ian Matthews – born and bred Bristolian and Kasabian drummer – to quiz him on his best Bristol music mome…

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 6-9 March 2018

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist at Bristol Archives. In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures. Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Common…

Vanbrugh letter returns to Bristol

By David Martyn, Chair of the Kings Weston Action Group Bristol Archives recently received an important new addition: a letter by the architect Sir John Vanbrugh (ref. 46048) detailing the construction of Kings Weston House. The archives already hold a na…

Rising Young Arts Consultants Programme – April

By Claire Simmons, Engagement Officer – Young People We have spent two days in the company of Rediat, Fatima and Colleen – young emerging creatives from Rising Arts Agency. They have been working as paid Young Arts Consultants, exploring our art c…

M Shed walk: Exploring Bristol’s street art

by Rob Wheeler of Graft Bristol has a rich and varied graffiti and street art heritage. Graffiti artists have come and gone, pieces have been painted over many times, but just as the parish boundary markers still exist in the Old City, clues hi…

Miss Ralph celebrated

by Allie Dillon, senior archivist We’re very pleased to announce that Great Western Railway (GWR) have named a train in honour of our former City Archivist, Miss Elizabeth Ralph (1911-2000). She was chosen as a ‘Great Westerner’ after being nominated by …

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 3 March 1918

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist. In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures. Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Commonwealth Collection at Bris…