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.
Alongside the exhibition, original archive material will be on display in the library until 30 October, including photographs, pamphlets, guides and timetables. Rare surviving objects from the Hull & Barnsley Railway will also be available to view, as will models of some of the rolling stock and wagons courtesy of the Hull & Barnsley Railway Stock Fund.
A selection of rail-themed prints from our archive collections will also be available to purchase. Come and choose your favourite!
Family Lego Club
1 November, 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?
Workshop: Paper Crafts
Joey Shuker, Hull History Centre Conservator
1 November, 10am-12pm
Free, all welcome. Children must be accompanied by an appropriate adult.
Join us for this workshop where you will learn how to make paper crafts using old maps and books. Paper crafts that will be available are 3D stars from old maps, origami boxes, book page Christmas trees and collaging your own map.
Download the Paper Crafts Workshop flyer.
Lunchtime talk: The Hull to Grimsby Hovercraft Service
Paul Drury-Bradey
11 November, 12.30pm
Free, all welcome
Travel back to 1969 to find out why a high-tech crossing that joined Hull to Grimsby only lasted a year. This talk will explore the origins of the two companies running the services and why it inevitably fell into decline after such a short period of time.
Drawing & Tarling: A Larkin Day at the Hull History Centre
Pete Eaves and Graham Chesters
15 November, 11am-4pm
Booking required via Eventbrite
Hull History Centre and the Philip Larkin Society are hosting a unique event to celebrate Philip Larkin's friendship with local artist Ted Tarling. Join us in the morning for 'Picturing Larkin', an artistic exploration of 'Larkinalia', in which artists are invited to respond to objects which once belonged to Philip Larkin through drawing or painting. In the afternoon Graham Chesters of the Philip Larkin Society will present a talk about Larkin and his connection with the fascinating life and work of Ted Tarling.
History Centre Behind the Scenes Tour: November
15 November, 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.
History Centre Behind the Scenes Tours: 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.