A new era for Nottinghamshire Archives with augmented reality technology

Taking place on Thursday 6 March between 5pm and 8pm, Archives Unleashed will provide heritage enthusiasts and curious minds alike the opportunity to discover heritage in new ways.

Visitors can expect an array of activities on offer, including short tours of the Archive available exclusively for Nottingham City residents. The tour will introduce visitors to the conservation studio where they can learn about the role of a conservator and see their current projects. The tours will feature AR content, whereby visitors can view historical documents, photographs, and hear audio recordings from their own device. The tours will also touch on the ways in which accessions are preserved, the commercial work that Nottinghamshire Archives carry out, and some of the precious documents that have been entrusted to the Archive in past years.

Additionally, history will come alive through an interactive map of Nottingham. It will showcase archival images of landmarks and recognisable sights, allowing visitors to compare past and present cityscapes. Archivists will also be preparing a selection of documents for viewing during the evening, including manuscripts dating as far back as 1155.

The event also provides an opportunity to digitise cherished memories. Guests are encouraged to bring old photographs for the Nottinghamshire Archives team to scan while they wait, and a digital copy will be provided. With permission, the images will then be added to the comprehensive Inspire Picture Archive where memories can be preserved forevermore to provide insights to future generations.

Those with personal links to Nottinghamshire, whether historic or recent, are also invited to contribute to an audio collection detailing experiences of life in the county. Using new recording equipment, visitors can take part in a guided interview, sharing their thoughts on local life, adding their voices to the county’s historical record.

Finally, Archives Unleashed will mark five years since the first Coronavirus lockdown with the introduction of a new exhibition Still/Life: Reflections on a Paused World. This poignant display will feature images contributed to the Inspire Picture Archive during the pandemic, capturing the resilience and everyday experiences of the Nottinghamshire community.

Archives Unleashed is a celebration of heritage and storytelling, with the aim of inspiring new connections between residents and their community’s history.