Remembering Victory: VE Day 80
10 May 2025 - 10 May 2025
As part of the city's programme to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, we're hosting a special pop-up display in our Cottonian Research Room. Come and take a look at fascinating documents and images from the archives and selected items from the costume collection including our 'Dig for Victory' dress. Take a look at items relating to World War II in the Port of Plymouth gallery and sample a special from the menu in The Box Kitchen & Bar. Browse our Active Archives gallery too. This space includes key facts and figures about the Blitz in Plymouth, the famous Bomb Book and a series of display cases co-curated with artist Jyll Bradley, many of which feature objects and insights related to the War. Bradley's adoptive grandfather was a volunteer Fire Guard in Plymouth during the Blitz and even kept his own scrapbook about it.
More info
You can also see video footage and images from The Box's archives at a very special 'VE Day 80' event on The Hoe on Thursday 8 May.
The event will begin at 10.30am with a flag-raising ceremony. Entertainment will run from 11am-5pm and include stalls, vintage vehicles and Commonwealth Wargraves Tours.
The day will end with a concert from 5.30pm, followed by a Sunset Guard ceremony and the lighting of a beacon at 8.40pm.
Additional VE Day 80 events are taking place at Plymouth Central Library, Plymouth Market and Mount Edgcumbe.
Image credits
Header: Dancing on The Barbican, Plymouth, 1945 © Mirrorpix
Dress: The 'Dig for Victory' dress. Courtesy of The Box, Plymouth