History Articles
Press Release - Jan 2023
The Boer War
The second Boer War of 1899-1902 is a conflict probably few of us know much about. It lies just beyond living memory yet has left a permanent imprint on Plymouth in monuments of stone.
History - Dec 2022
John Foulston and the Plymouth Proprietary Library
The Plymouth Proprietary Library is an active subscription library founded in 1810. Known as the Plymouth Public Library until 1881, here we explore the history of its architecture and its connection with leading English architect John Foulston.
History - Nov 2022
To Australia via Plymouth: A Tale of Cornish Migration
Between 1840 and 1900, just over 430,000 British people passed through Plymouth, seeking a new life overseas. Some travelled with hope, some with trepidation. All had a long journey ahead of them. The majority were travelling to Australia and New Zealand. Canada, America and South Africa were also popular destinations. The Plymouth Government Emigration Depot which helped many of them is the subject of a display case in our Active Archives gallery this autumn.
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.
History - Sep 2022
Behind The Scenes: Uncovering past lives at Mount Folly
Since 2003, the 'Mount Folly Enclosures Project' near Bigbury-on-Sea has been uncovering evidence of past lives. The project is one of the largest community excavations in southern England, and a variety of artefacts have been discovered.
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?
Press Release - Jul 2022
Refreshed Mayflower Museum is ready to open
The Mayflower Museum on Plymouth’s Barbican has re-opened ready for the summer following a major overhaul of its displays led by a team from The Box.
History - Jul 2022
Making our 100 Journeys gallery more inclusive
The 100 Journeys gallery explores historic and ongoing voyages from Plymouth and showcases our world cultures, art, and archival collections in displays themed around specific journeys. We've been reviewing our displays to ensure that they are more inclusive and representative of more people. This work forms part of our commitment to anti-racism and decolonising our collections.
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.
History - May 2022
Platinum Jubilee Photography Competition
We’re running a photography competition to capture the 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations. You can get involved (and maybe win a great prize too!) by submitting an image that captures your experience.
History - Mar 2022
Falklands 40: Thanksgiving Service Photo
40 years ago, on 2 April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the Falkland Islands. Located in the South Atlantic, the islands are just 300 miles from the Argentinian mainland where they are known as the ‘Islas Malvinas’. They’d been a source of dispute between Britain and Argentina since the British first settled there in 1833.
History - Mar 2022
Ernest Shackleton
Ernest Henry Shackleton is widely known as one of the most inspirational leaders of the twentieth century and a key figure in the ‘Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration’ alongside Roald Amundsen and Plymouth-born Robert Falcon Scott. The recent discovery of the Endurance, his ship that sank to the bottom of the Weddell Sea over a century ago, has amazed people around the world. Learn more about his story here.
