Events
Events and Activities
Author's Talks
Talks and lectures
Courses
Exhibitions
All events are held at WSHC unless otherwise stated. Tickets for events at the History Centre may be purchased in advance at the Help Desk or can be reserved on 01249 705500 (Tues-Sat 9:30-5) Numbers may be limited so please buy your ticket in advance. Please aim to arrive 15 minutes before your event begins.
FREE Conservation Surgery
Thurs 14 March, 11 April, 9 May, and 13 June. 2-4 pm FREE
Come and get advice from our archive and object conservators about caring for your precious family photographs, keepsakes and treasures. Booking essential!
Memory Box Reading Group
First and third Monday afternoon of every month, 2-3.30pm
Do you enjoy history and listening to stories? Our group is meeting on the first and third Monday afternoon of every month, beginning 7th January 2019 to listen to an extract from one of the amazing collection of books in our Local Studies Library. We will take time to share memories and thoughts, and also have a chat over refreshments! If you would enjoy some friendly company in a relaxed environment, this is for you. All welcome!
Free entry, parking right outside and refreshments, supported by Hob Nob Press.
Read - Reminisce - Enjoy
History Revealed: Tisbury
Thursday 14 March 10am-4.15pm
A repeat of last year's successful event. Find out what makes Tisbury so special! Discover more about the people and places in Tisbury through archival documents, maps, archaeology and additional resources for local history plus afternoon field visit focusing on architectural history. (Lunch not included)
Venue: The Nadder Centre
Book via WSHC - £10 (£8 concessions)
Creative Writing Workshop - Captain Swing
Saturday 16 March 2019, 2-4pm
Our Secret History in Song
This workshop will enable students to create their own story plots and dialogue by combining different verse, local to Wiltshire, from the archives at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.
We will explore the value of folk song as social history and as a window to the emotional lives of the largely illiterate rural poor. The validity of popular broadsides as source material will be discussed, as well as problems with dialect and the language used in verse.
The workshop will be led by Beatrice Parvin, the writer of ‘Captain Swing and the Blacksmith’. Steeped in the rich lyricism and storytelling tradition of British folk songs, this haunting tale of love and tragedy is played out against the notorious Swing riots of 1830, when the quiet fields of Wiltshire blazed with violence and fires in the night.
The event is part of a tour of performances and workshops sponsored by Creative Wiltshire, Celebrating Age, Rural Arts and Salisbury Museum. Free entry.
Book on Eventbrite
History Revealed: Seend
Wednesday 8 May 10am-4.15pm
Find out what makes Seend so special! Discover more about the people and places in Seend through archival documents, maps, archaeology and additional resources for local history plus afternoon field visit to the village focusing on architectural history.
(Lunch not included. Own transport required).
Venue: Melksham Library
£10 (£8 concessions) from the library or WSHC – booking essential
Know Your Place Challenge
Wednesday 15 May
Join the KYP challenge which pits Wiltshire against our neighbouring KYP partners in the south west. Pin images of historical information and/or photos to the Know Your Place website to tell the story of your favourite Wiltshire place – why not pop in to the History Centre and let us help you on your journey!
Cost: FREE (Drop-in event – free entry)
Collecting Cultures and Creative Wiltshire: New Additions to Archive & Museum collections in the county
Wednesday 6 March 10.30am
A talk by Joy Bloomfield
Find out about the wealth of sculptures, paintings and other works by local artists collected as part of the HLF-funded Creative Wiltshire project and now available in Wiltshire's museums and archives. This talk coincides with an exhibition at Salisbury Museum, showcasing some of the wonderful works acquired during this project.
Admission: £4 – booking advisable
Coming to Terms: Manorial Records for Family History
Wednesday 20 March 10.30am
The Wiltshire Family History Society is currently indexing manor court books and rolls to help make them more accessible. Find out more about the words commonly used in these records and what they mean. Learn how to use these records for family history with Jenny Pope
Admission: £4 – booking advisable
A History of the World in Wiltshire's Archives
Thursday 18 April 10.30am
Despite being called the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives, our collections reflect life across the globe! Discover extraordinary stories from around the world in this illustrated talk by Ruth Butler to mark World Heritage Day
Admission £4.00 – booking advisable.
Recent Wiltshire Archaeological Discoveries
Wednesday 15 May 10.30am
Find out the latest news about local finds and excavations with the County Archaeologist.
A talk by Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger
Admission: £4 – booking advisable
Recent Fieldwork on Wiltshire Vernacular Buildings
Wednesday 12 June 10.30am
A talk by Wiltshire Buildings Recorder, Dorothy Treasure
Admission: £4 – booking advisable
Catsbrain, Breakheart and Labour-in-Vain: the hidden history of place names
Wednesday 26 June 10.30am
Find out more about the fascinating field names and place names of Wiltshire in a talk by Naomi Sackett
Admission: £4 – booking advisable
An Introduction to Ancestry.co.uk
Saturday 16 March (SOLD OUT); Saturday 6 April; Saturday 27 April 9.30-10.30am
Are you unsure how to use the website Ancestry.co.uk, which contains lots of useful sources for family history such as parish registers and wills of Wiltshire? Find out how to get started with this hands-on workshop with Ian Hicks
(Workshop repeated – only need to book on one!)
Limited places - booking essential. Admission £5
Motor Vehicle Registration in Wiltshire 1861-1974
Tuesday 26 March 10am-12pm
Find out more about researching historic cars and motor bikes in a workshop with Ian Hicks
Admission: £5 – booking essential
Unlocking Research Resources for Local Studies
Thurdays 23 May, 10-3.30pm
A useful study day for family and local history researchers to help them make the most of our Local Studies Library. Tuition will be provided using a wide variety of sources including practical and interesting exercises. Find out how you can expand your research to give additional context and a sense of place to individuals and communities in history.
Admission: £7 – booking advisable (Lunch not included)
Sources for Family History
Tuesday 30 April-4 June 9.30am-12.30pm
Go beyond the internet and discover useful sources for Family History including parish and nonconformist records; education and hospital records; poor law records; probate records (eg wills); records of crime and punishment; and estate and manorial records.
Led by our team of History Centre experts.
Cost: £40 for 6 week course – places limited - booking essential
Download the course programme
Reception Foyer:
‘Wiltshire Remembers the Windrush Generation’
Showcases the stories of some of the many West Indians who came to settle here in Wiltshire.
Tickets for events at the History Centre may be purchased in advance at the Help Desk or can be reserved on 01249 705500 (Tues-Sat 9:30-5) Payment by credit card or cheque is only possible for 2 more tickets. Numbers may be limited so please buy your ticket in advance. Please aim to arrive 15 minutes before your event begins.
Download a PDF version of our events programme
Download a poster to help us advertise our events to help us advertise our events - thank you!
Disclaimer: We may take photographs at events for future publicity purposes. Please make a member of staff aware if you would prefer not to be included in any images. Permission will sought for images which include children.
