DATE: 6 June 2023

York Museums Trust is proud to have successfully concluded our second Heritage Hunters project, in partnership with York Explore, the Groves Association, We Are the Groves, and York St John University.

York is famous for Romans, Viking, Medieval architecture, Georgian streets and Victorian industries, but some parts of the city have been overlooked. Heritage Hunters aims to work with residents in areas of York that have a wealth of history but have not yet received focused attention. This year we have brought together residents, artists, organisations and education providers to look into the past of the Groves area of the City of York. The project is intended to support residents to find out more about their surroundings and to share it with their friends and neighbours.

The project was initially launched in September 2022. Forty people were interested in joining the project, some wanting to share their own memories, stories they had already found, or learn how to look into local history. Together with York Explore, York Museums Trust produced a programme to support residents in researching their interests, and events where they came together to meet with neighbours.

Our resident-researchers gathered several times over the past year to share their experiences living in the Groves, to learn more about the history of the area by using the archives held at York Explore, and to spend time visiting other heritage sites in York. They have now completed their work and York Museums Trust has commissioned a designer to produce a magazine that will be distributed in the Groves and will be available online. It will be officially launched at the Groves Association Annual General Meeting (AGM), showcasing a fantastic glimpse into the history and people of the Groves, researched and written by neighbours and friends.

Philip Newton, Communities Engagement Researcher, said: “It has been such a rewarding experience to get to know this group of York residents and follow their lead in researching their own neighbourhood. The resident-researchers have discovered so many fascinating stories, and we can’t wait to share them in the magazine. We are privileged to have had such wonderful partners across the city, including York Explore, the Groves Association, We Are the Groves, and York St John University. We hope to continue our Heritage Hunters project for many years to come.”

On Wednesday 7 June from 6:30pm the public are invited to the AGM community event hosted by the Groves Association to mark the conclusion of this year’s Heritage Hunters project. The magazine, which will provide an opportunity for resident-researchers’ discoveries to be shared, will be officially launched at 7.30pm. Stalls and refreshments will be available. All residents and those active in the Groves are welcome!