Family and Local History

A University library and archive is not the first port of call for many family historians. Manuscripts & Special Collections has more resources than some, and you don’t need to be staff or student at the University to come and use them. Normally we would have a stall at the Local History & Archaeology Festival …

From Rags to Witches: the grim tale of children’s stories

Once upon a time, fairy tales were not for children – and some were even banned by the church as a threat to faith or morality. Using original archives and rare books from the University of Nottingham’s Manuscripts & Special Collections, From Rags to Witches: the Grim Tale of Children’s Stories will explore a range …

Launch of the iBook ‘Parchment, Paper & Pixels’

On 28 February Professor Jeremy Gregory, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, formally launched our first iBook ‘Parchment, Paper and Pixels: Highlights from Manuscripts and Special Collections at The University of Nottingham’. The iBook showcases some of the treasures held in Manuscripts and Special Collections, with a range of short articles illustrated with images, …

Spotlight on Slavery

Today is Anti-Slavery Day in the UK, which was established to raise awareness of the estimated 20 million people worldwide currently living in slavery. This year also sees the 150th anniversary of the formal abolition of slavery in the United States. The 13th amendment to the Constitution declaring that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude…shall exist within the …

The German perspective on the First World War

The final lunchtime talk held in connection with our current exhibition ‘All Quiet in the Weston Gallery’ takes place tomorrow. With the nation gearing up to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the First World War, through exhibitions, tv and radio programmes, books and articles, debate is, unsurprisingly, focused on British involvement in the war. …

A Marvellous Time at Mayfest!

Manuscripts & Special Collections staff were kept very busy at this year’s Mayfest, the University’s annual Community Open Day held on the 18th May, as over 1000 people visited the two separate events: ‘Marvellous Manuscripts’ in the Portland Building and ‘Wade into Water’ at Lakeside Arts Centre. Conservation staff were on hand at ‘Marvellous Manuscripts’ to show …

Wollaton’s Virtual Antiphonal on display

Ticket holders to a special ‘Tombs and Tunes’ event at St Leonard’s Church, Wollaton on Monday, 26th November will discover more of the history of this Nottinghamshire parish church and will have an opportunity to hear about the 15th century Wollaton Antiphonal, which is on display in virtual form in the church. Dating from about …

Manuscripts at Mayfest

Before May Fest, which took place on the 19th May, can become a distant memory, we’ve been having a review in Manuscripts and Special Collections of how the day went for us.  We had on offer presentations and interactive activities at two different venues on University Park, in Trent Building and at the D H Lawrence …