Social History
Huntley & Palmers workers packing chocolate biscuits into tins, 1940s
The Social History collection covers people’s everyday life and local history after 1700AD through objects, photographs and sound recordings.
Highlights include a stunning horse-drawn caravan built by Dunton & Sons in 1914 at Crane Wharf in Reading and the unique full-size Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry was given to Reading in 1895.
The collections include items reflecting Reading’s industrial and commercial heritage, especially the comprehensive Huntley & Palmers Collection. The story of the world famous biscuit company’s 150-year history is told by the collection of nearly 7000 items including biscuit tins, photographs, film and advertising dating from 1822 to the 1990s.
The Reading Chronicle Collection has over 40,000 negatives taken by the newspaper between 1938 and 1964. This was a period of great change for the town from the rigours of the Second World War to the social change of post-war immigration and reconstruction. An array of everyday events are covered from Reading Football Club matches to weddings, but more unusual news events are featured such as VE Day street parties, the 1948 Olympic torch relay and political events including CND and anti-apartheid marches.
Contemporary collecting and oral history recordings record Reading’s transition from an industrial centre to being at the heart of the UK’s own ‘Silicon valley’. Recent collecting has also focused on the iconic Reading Festival that started in 1971.
Related Websites:
Uncover the story behind biscuit makers Huntley & Palmers, and identify your own tins |
http://www.huntleyandpalmers.org... |
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