Mike Covell’s Blogg

The first thing you notice with the multi-million pound Hull History Centre is the size, compared to the rooms of the archives, and local studies library it’s enormous. The next thing you notice is how recognisable it is. I approached along High-street, and through the grounds of Hull College, and could see it from some distance away. It might not be tall, but with it’s curved roof, it stands out. I remember my first visit to the City Archives all those years ago, when I could not find the building, and found only a small door with a tiny brass plaque!

The grounds of the history centre are spacious and open, no dark corners, and with plenty of parking spaces and wonderful, if somewhat strange looking trees!

On entering I was met by a familiar face from Hull City Council, who watched over my son during his “Night at the Museum,” at the front desk. From this point you get a feel of how big the building actually is, this isn’t like the small office from the days of the archives, but a grand, well lit, modern area, with seating and views out across the car park to Hull.

I entered the main research area and noted all the books on display, so took a short while to have a look around, spotting new sources of information that I had, until today, never seen before. I poured over a couple of volumes of the Hull City Council/Corporation Minute books before going in search of the trade directories.

I approached the helpdesk and was met by some friendly familiar faces from the old Local Studies Library, and was informed that the trade directories were now kept in the all new search room, which was a room surrounded by glass, and well lit from all sides. To gain access I needed a County Archives Research Network Ticket (CARN) and although I had searched at Hull City Archives, Hull’s Local Studies, East Riding Archives, Carnegie Heritage Centre, Sutton History Centre, Bridlington Archives and Local Studies, I had never been told I needed one. At the East Riding Archives I had been issued with what appears to have been a day ticket, so asked if these were available. Luckily they were, but I would warn other’s who are hoping to view the actual archival arm of the building to take some identification with you such as a driving licence, pension book, benefits book, utility bill, bank statement, cheque guarantee card, family allowance book. As long as you have something recent with your address on.

It took a short while to register, and when I was done I was shown the locker area, with state of the art lockers, and toilets. These were fantastic compared to the lockers and toilets in the old Hull City Archives, and a vast improvement.

I then entered the search area, and looked briefly at the trade directories, and through the enormous name index, noting several sources for the future.

I had a brief walk around, and looked out over the vast array of computers, which, compared to the single computer at Hull’s Local Studies Library is a vast improvement. I also noticed that the number of reader printers had increased, this was another great feature as in the past you had to pre-book to obtain one, and sessions lasted just an hour.

All in all it’s a great place, with loads to keep even the most intrepid of researchers busy. The staff are all knowledgeable, smart, and friendly, and on hand to help. The facilities on offer are a vast improvement on the previous facilities offered in the old archival and historical institutions, and the building is warm, well lit, and in a fantastic location.