Community Exhibition for Welwyn Garden City's Centenary

 

 

 

Post-war Pioneers
Can you help share the town’s untold story?

In November 2019 Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies launched a project to explore the town’s post-war history through an exhibition co-created with the local community.  The archives contain a wealth of information about the town’s development, will provide the context, but more importantly we’re keen to capture and share the experiences of residents of all ages through our exhibition and this website.

Much has been written about Welwyn Garden’s first residents and the effort they put into building communities in the 1920s and 30s, but less is known about the second of wave of pioneers who settled here in the 1940s and 50s.  These families, many of whom were from London, moved into newly built bright, modern homes in the town.

Were you one of these post-war pioneers?  What was it like to move here?  How has the town changed since you arrived? 

We are currently seeking volunteers to tell their stories, but also to get directly involved with the making of the exhibition.  No prior knowledge or experience is needed, and we will provide training and support.

This project has been made possible by a National Lottery Heritage grant and will also include free local history workshops for schools, work to develop access to archive material, film nights, a heritage walk, outreach talks and reminiscence events in the garden city.  If you would like to find out more about this project and our other centenary plans, please contact hals.enquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk.