Discover the past at Gateshead Archive
Gateshead Archive at Gateshead Central Library is a fabulous facility where over 400 years of local and family history comes to life as you explore thousands research resources, including historic books, maps, newspapers from the 1700's to present, photographs from the past 150 years, and digital resources about Gateshead and its surrounding areas.
The library's friendly staff are on hand to help you find your way around the facilities and aid you in your research.
Some of the highlights include Gateshead's oldest known book, printed in 1654 on Bottle Bank, where the Hilton Hotel stands today. Also on display are rare original works by the celebrated woodcut artist, and one of Gateshead's most famous sons, Thomas Bewick. Images from his collections also adorn available study desks.
The archive is free to use, and also features a delightful café serving a selection of savoury and sweet treats and refreshments, as well as a brand new giftshop. Tours are available to groups and schools on request.
The project, which has been funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund of almost £500,000, has also enabled staff to digitise unique and fragile material for visitors to view. This includes the only surviving collection of the Gateshead Post, a local paper which ran from the 1940s until 2003. New touchscreens also allow visitors to explore historic maps, comparing modern Google maps with different maps from the past.
Gateshead Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Councillor Angela Douglas, said: "The new facility has not only made resources more freely available but has improved study facilities and provided activities to encourage schools and community groups to use the collection. Gateshead Archive will quickly become yet another fantastic reason to visit Gateshead Central Library.
Gateshead Archive at Gateshead Central Library is a fabulous facility where over 400 years of local and family history comes to life as you explore thousands research resources, including historic books, maps, newspapers from the 1700's to present, photographs from the past 150 years, and digital resources about Gateshead and its surrounding areas.
The library's friendly staff are on hand to help you find your way around the facilities and aid you in your research.
Some of the highlights include Gateshead's oldest known book, printed in 1654 on Bottle Bank, where the Hilton Hotel stands today. Also on display are rare original works by the celebrated woodcut artist, and one of Gateshead's most famous sons, Thomas Bewick. Images from his collections also adorn available study desks.
The archive is free to use, and also features a delightful café serving a selection of savoury and sweet treats and refreshments, as well as a brand new giftshop. Tours are available to groups and schools on request.
The project, which has been funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund of almost £500,000, has also enabled staff to digitise unique and fragile material for visitors to view. This includes the only surviving collection of the Gateshead Post, a local paper which ran from the 1940s until 2003. New touchscreens also allow visitors to explore historic maps, comparing modern Google maps with different maps from the past.
Gateshead Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Councillor Angela Douglas, said: "The new facility has not only made resources more freely available but has improved study facilities and provided activities to encourage schools and community groups to use the collection. Gateshead Archive will quickly become yet another fantastic reason to visit Gateshead Central Library.
