Exhibition: Tracks Through Time: The Story of Hull’s Railways
23 September-11 December 2025, during our opening hours
Original material on display in the library, 23 September-30 October 2025
Free, all welcome
Join us to celebrate 200 years of rail travel with an exhibition exploring different aspects of the railways in Hull!
The History Centre’s collections contain a wealth of information on the railway’s construction and expansion in the city, from the opening of the first line in 1840, to the privatisation of the industry in the 1990s. Discover the development of the rail network in the local area, with special reference to the docks, and explore key historical events and themes including transmigration, the First and Second World Wars, stations and locomotives, and the men and women who built and worked on the tracks.
A selection of rail-themed prints from our archive collections will also be available to purchase. Come and choose your favourite!
Exhibition: Philip Larkin, 'The Less Deceived', and his friend Ted Tarling
Original material will be on display in the library, 6 November 2025 - 8 January 2026, during our opening hours
Free, all welcome
Join us as we mark the 70th anniversary of Philip Larkin’s poetry collection 'The Less Deceived', published by the Marvell Press in 1955. Discover the photograph album that inspired the first poem in the collection, 'Lines on a Young Lady's Photograph Album', and view Larkin's original notebook containing his first drafts of the poem.
We also invite you to discover the fascinating friend of Larkin, Ted Tarling. Born in Stoneferry, Hull, Tarling attended Hull Art School before making his mark locally as a jazz musician. He launched the Sonus Press, publishing the poetry magazine 'Wave', and was a talented artist. You can view the painting by Tarling that Larkin admired for its 'meticulous melancholy', commenting that it 'speaks straight to me…it's very much life as I see it.'
Graham Chesters, Chair of the Philip Larkin Society, says, 'For a man with such gifts, Ted seems to have been unconcerned about fame or even recognition. Looking back 21 years after his death in 2004, it's time to take the light from under the bushel. Larkin would have approved.'
History Centre Behind the Scenes Tour: December
6 December, 11am-12pm
Free, booking required
Join us for a fascinating journey through the strongrooms and conservation areas of the History Centre, with a chance to look at some exciting historic documents along the way…
The tour will take 1 hour.
Places are limited so please book in advance. To book your place you can email us, call us on 01482 317500, or speak to a member of staff at the enquiry desk during our opening hours.
Family Lego Club
6 December, 10am-12pm
Free, all welcome. Children must be accompanied by an appropriate adult.
Come and build with Lego blocks. All materials provided. What will you build... perhaps your favourite castle, or maybe your favourite old building in Hull?