Plymouthhistory

Plymouth History Centre News
After 15 years of uncertainty, as well as the threat that Plymouth's archives and records collection could be
taken away from the city, we are absolutely delighted that there has been progress on the long awaited
Plymouth History Centre.
The hope is that building work to transform the current site of the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, due to
start in January 2016, will be completed by July 2018.
The new History Centre will house the archives and records of Plymouth & West Devon Record Office
(PWDRO), the Museum and Art Gallery, the reference library and the South West Film & Television Archive
(SWFTA) currently based at the Melville Building of the Royal William Yard. It is thought the project will cost in
the region of £21million. Plymouth City Council have committed £5million and there is an ongoing bid to the
Heritage Lottery Fund for an investment of £12million. The remainder will be sourced from smaller bids.
Only 5% of the city's magnificent collections are on currently on display at
the existing site (left) and the new History Centre will provide enough space
for much bigger and better exhibitions and much improved facilities for an
expected doubling visitors and researchers. In addition to the
refurbishment of the Grade II listed library and museum buildings and the
St Lukes Church building in Tavistock Place, the development will see an
extension built at the reverse of the current library building.
An aerial view of the projected development (right) shows the
extent of the plans. Plymouth City Council and PWDRO are
calling on the public for their input and ideas which you can
give through their website or by emailing the team at
pwdro@plymouth.gov.uk. They are also asking for stories and
photographs to use on the website. For more information, visit
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/loveourpast where you can also
follow all the developments and bid processes as they happen.
Those on Twitter can keep up to date by following
@LoveOurPast or by visiting and liking the Love Our Past
Facebook page.
In many ways it is understandable that there is some
scepticism, but we believe that this is an opportunity for
all of us to get involved and help show what Plymouth
has to offer, to celebrate it's often neglected but
nevertheless, fantastic history. The artistic impression of
how the History Centre may look (left) looks superb.
LOVE OUR PAST!
Images and artwork courtesy of Love Our Past and
Plymouth City Council.