History Articles

Raising a glass to World Poetry Day 2023
History - Mar 2023

Raising a glass to World Poetry Day 2023

Last year we received a typescript copy of an anonymous poem into our archives. It describes a pub crawl around Devonport and is believed to have been written in the 1930s.

Discover 'The World of Stonehenge' | The Box Plymouth
Press Release - Feb 2023

Discover 'The World of Stonehenge'

Plymouth Archaeology Society is delighted to be hosting a talk at the University of Plymouth on 6 March by Dr Neil Wilkin, British Museum Curator of Early Europe.

The Boer War | The Box Plymouth
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.

John Foulston and the Plymouth Proprietary Library | The Box Plymouth
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.

To Australia via Plymouth: A Tale of Cornish Migration | The Box Plymouth
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.

Archive insight: Plymouth and the tale of a Brazilian pirate ship | The Box Plymouth
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.

Behind The Scenes: Uncovering past lives at Mount Folly | The Box Plymouth
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.

Happy 40th to Theatre Royal Plymouth | The Box Plymouth
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?

Refreshed Mayflower Museum is ready to open | The Box 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.

Making our 100 Journeys gallery more inclusive
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.

The Van Dike organisation and Greg Vandike | The Box Plymouth
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.

Platinum Jubilee Photography Competition | The Box Plymouth
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.