York history project wins £100k Lottery windfall

City of York Council’s Gateway to History project is looking to revamp the first floor of the York Explore centre in Museum Street into a purpose-built home for treasured records stretching back over 800 years.

The scheme has today secured £107,500 in support and development funding to pay for work enabling the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which has provided the money, to decide whether to award the £1.2 million needed to make the project a reality.

It will include a series of workshops for residents to have their say on how the archive, which would be housed within a new floor on the Explore centre’s east wing, should be created.

The 800th anniversary of King John signing York’s charter, allowing it to elect its own mayor and council and marking the first steps towards local democracy in the city, will be celebrated in 2012, with the HLF expected to announce next March whether full funding for Gateway to History will be awarded.

“York has the most important city archive outside London,” said Coun Sonja Crisp, the council’s executive member for leisure, culture and social inclusion.

“It’s a living archive which tells the story of how local democracy has developed over 800 years. This project will safeguard it for the future so it continues to represent all our citizens for all time.”

Fiona Spiers, HLF’s head for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “These special archives tell the story of York and the people who have lived and worked in the city, shaping it into what it is today.

“We are pleased to give this project initial support and look forward to working with the council as plans progress.”

The council’s chief executive, Kersten England, described the funding as “a big step towards realising our vision” and “a vote of confidence”, adding: “There’s still a lot of work to do, but this is a really good start.”

Comments and suggestions on the project can be sent to gatewaytohistory@york.gov.uk