Exhibition to tour as people invited to share WWII memories
27 Aug 2025
Northumberland Archives is calling on residents to help bring history to life by sharing their WWII memories, photographs, diaries and letters as part of a project marking the 80th anniversary of end of the War.
An exhibition curated from information already held in the archives will run until August 28 at County Hall, Morpeth, before moving on to some of the county’s libraries including Amble, Ashington, Blyth, Hexham, Haltwhistle and Wylam later in the year.
The exhibition, forms part of a wider project “At War & In Peace: The WW2 Home Front and Post-War Reconstruction in Northumberland” was made possible thanks to a £138,000 award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Councillor Wendy Pattison, Northumberland County Council Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “The exhibition highlights key aspects of life on the ‘Home Front’, from the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign and the Women’s Institute’s activities to food rationing, air raids and the resilience of local communities.
“The 80th anniversary and this project represent a huge opportunity, as it may be the last chance we get to speak to people who lived through and were involved in WWII.
“It would be wonderful to discover some WWII treasures that people have tucked away, and to be able to put them to good use and know they will be preserved for posterity in our archive.
“The wider project also looks at the challenges of post-war reconstruction, uncovering little-known stories and preserving them for future generations.
“Through exhibitions, workshops and schools and community engagement, this project is a fitting tribute to the sacrifices and resilience of Northumberland’s people, 80 years on.
“We are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the people who buy the tickets to play the lottery for this vital support.”
As part of the project, schools across the county will take part in hands-on workshops – from learning the Lindy Hop dance to enjoying authentic ‘victory teas’ – helping young people connect with the experiences of wartime communities.
As well as oral history interviews that will ensure the voices of those involved are preserved in the archives the service is asking residents to contribute wartime items and stories to enrich the collection.
Councillor Pattison added: “Whether it’s a diary, a photograph, a letter, a uniform or a treasured keepsake, these personal pieces of history can help reveal untold stories of resilience and everyday life.”
To share a wartime memory please contact Northumberland Archives at archives@northumberland.gov.uk or 01670 624358.
*Exhibition dates will be published on the website as soon as they are available.