Exhibitions and events

Current Exhibition

Forged by Hand:

Shipbuilding and Lead Mining in North Yorkshire

This exhibition celebrates two important parts of the industry of North Yorkshire.

Explore the history of the Cochranes of Selby shipyard through original plans, records, and personal stories found in the collections held at North Yorkshire Archives. Celebrating over 80 years of shipbuilding, highlighting the Cochrane family and the skilled workers who shaped the yard’s legacy.

Discover how lead mining has played a crucial part in the economy, industry, and history of the Yorkshire Dales through 16th century deeds, a dispute over hushing, maps, and photographs to show how lead mining has left permanent reminders in the geography, and in the archival record.

The exhibition will run from February to April 2026 at the Archives.

Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm

free admission, no need to book

Events

Public Tours of North Yorkshire Archives

followed by an introduction to using our collections

Dates for 2026 coming soon…

Cost: £3.30pp, payable in advance: book here

Venue: North Yorkshire Archives

We are excited to launch our brand-new public tours of North Yorkshire Archives.

Explore behind the scenes to find out how we store our archival collections, held onsite on over 5 miles of shelving. Visit our specialist conservation and reprographics studios to see how our collections are preserved and copied.

The tour will be followed by an introduction to our public search room, where you can view our collections and be inspired to start your own research. An Archivist will be available to answer your questions on local history, house history, family history and much more.

Our tours are limited to 15 people, so book today to secure your place.

If you have any additional requirements or would like to discuss access needs, please get in touch.

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To keep up-to-date with all our news and events, please subscribe to the Archives newsletter using the following link: https://northyorkshire-council.com/p/4BPJ-ZEH/sign-up-to-the-record-office-e-newsletter