Blog the final – It’s a ‘Celebration of Architecture’ as the FJ archive is due to be launched!

Well after a year and a half of toiling away in the cataloguing room the FJ archive is finally listed, neatly packaged and ready to be used! Blood (paper cuts), sweat (broken air-con) and tears (when I first saw how much there was) were spent but I’ve come out alive and (almost) sane!

From the 11^th August you will be able to search the catalogue online where you will also find a PDF version of the paper catalogue which is available for consultation here at the History Centre. Don’t forget to have a look at our source guide which will help you get to know the archive and how it is organised – it also gives you handy tips for finding related archives in our collections.

To celebrate this momentous occasion we have organised a number of events under the banner of the History Centre’s ‘Celebration of Architecture’. On the 1^st August fun can be had at our ‘History Makers’ family event ‘A very big house in the country’. We will be learning about grand country houses and estates with the help of items from the archives. We will be recreating some of the region’s best examples using FJ’s drawings and lots of Lego!

For the adults amongst us, the big date for your diary is the 11^th August. Events begin at 12.30 with a talk by noted local architectural historian David Neave who will be telling us about FJ’s life and work during his ‘Lunch Time Club’ talk. 

A representative from Francis Johnson & Partners will then say a few words to launch an architecture exhibition which will run from the 11^th August to the 12^th September. The exhibition has been jointly prepared by Hull History Centre and Humberside Society of Architects. It will feature highlights from the Francis Johnson & Partners, Architects collection, the best of Hull’s architecture as chosen by local architects, and a guide to undertaking buildings research at the History Centre.  

If you fancy getting to know the ‘Old Town’ better why not be guided through the architecture by FJ himself (sort of…)? You might remember that I was taking pictures and doing research for a walking trail earlier in the year. Well from the 11^th August you can pick up a free trail leaflet from the History Centre Welcome Desk or download it as a PDF for free from our website.  

Hopefully there will be something to interest everyone so please do come along and take part – we would love to see you.

Claire Weatherall
Project Archivist