Archive Articles
History - Oct 2022
Archive insight: Plymouth and the tale of a Brazilian pirate ship
The Box’s archives are home to many forgotten stories from Plymouth’s past. Here we explore the events surrounding Brazilian pirate slavers who were captured by the Royal Navy and transported to Plymouth for trial. This story is recorded in documents from our archives, some of which are on display in the Active Archives gallery.
News - Sep 2022
Behind The Scenes: Making a carbon neutral film
Over the last year and a half our ‘The Box on Screen’ series has been using our archive film collection to highlight a range of different themes. Our most recent episode explored the increasingly important issue of the climate emergency. Thanks to video production company, Soundview Media, who we work with on the series, and their Low Carbon Devon Intern, Kelsey Parsons, we were thrilled to learn that it's their first certified carbon neutral production!
History - Sep 2022
Happy 40th to Theatre Royal Plymouth
2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Theatre Royal, Plymouth (TRP) which is enjoying a month of celebrations until mid-October - but did you know that today’s building is the fourth of that name in Plymouth?
News - Sep 2022
His Majesty King Charles III
King Charles III is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021). He was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948. He became King on 8 September 2022 upon the death of his mother, and was officially proclaimed monarch two days later on 10 September 2022.
News - Sep 2022
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
In memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (21 April 1926 - 8 September 2022).
News - Aug 2022
Platinum Jubilee Photography Competition Winners
Thanks to funding from The National Archives’ ‘Archives Testbed: Jubilee Grant’ The Box secured a £5,000 grant to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee earlier this summer. As part of it, we ran a photography competition that was open to all – and here are the winning entries!
Press Release - Aug 2022
Augmented reality provides a snapshot of Plymouth’s past
People walking around the centre of Plymouth this summer are being given a futuristic glimpse of the city’s past. The Box and the University of Plymouth have joined forces for an augmented reality project that enables residents and visitors to unlock a series of heritage films featuring Plymouth's post-war reconstruction.
History - Jul 2022
Countless bands, thousands of gigs and one family in Plymouth
Michele and Lauren Vandike share the story of The Van Dike organisation, Greg Vandike, and their family's longstanding relationship with the city's music scene.
Art - Jun 2022
because the night belongs to us: How did we get here?
Our large-scale summer exhibition, 'because the night belongs to us' recently opened across four galleries. But how did it get here? Co-curators Adam Milford, Senior Engagement and Learning Officer and Tony Davey, Engagement Officer reflect on the steps taken over many years to bring this project to life.
Press Release - May 2022
The Box receives National Archives funding to mark the Platinum Jubilee
The Box has secured a £5,000 grant to run a series of activities celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The funding has been awarded through The National Archives’ ‘Archives Testbed: Jubilee Grant’ and is one of nine grants to be announced this week.
News - Jan 2022
The archive service at The Box
The Box is an archive as well as a museum and art gallery, and now operates the service previously offered by the former Plymouth and West Devon Record Office. If you're thinking of carrying out some research using archive records (including those on microform and from our image and film collections), we hope this summary of the services we offer proves useful.
News - Jan 2022
A Royal Romance: William IV and Sally Winne of Plymouth
Did you know that Plymouth has had its very own Regency era royal romance, worthy of Jane Austen, or the Netflix smash hit, ‘Bridgerton’?