Archive celebrates history of Lincoln’s green spaces.
Local Landscapes & Hidden Histories’ online heritage archive is now live, bringing together more than 400 digitised images that tell the story of Lincoln’s green spaces and the people connected to them.
Spanning over 200 years of history, the collection comprises photographs, books, newspapers, maps, census records, and personal memorabilia dating back to 1824. The project has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The areas covered by the archive include Lincoln Arboretum, Boultham Park, Hartsholme Country Park, Birchwood Nature Park, West Common, South Common and Cow Paddle.
The archive has been created and developed with the support of dedicated volunteers, the majority of whom were local students, who contributed their time and skills to help preserve Lincoln’s heritage for future generations.
The online archive acts as a digital time capsule for the city’s heritage green spaces, bringing together items that were previously scattered across personal collections and private homes.
By hosting these materials in one accessible place, the project ensures that the stories, memories and landscapes of Lincoln can be explored and enjoyed now and in the future.
Local Landscapes & Hidden Histories is calling on the public to help the archive grow. Anyone with historic photographs, diary entries, postcards, maps or other materials relating to Lincoln’s green spaces is encouraged to submit them for inclusion.
Volunteers are also needed to help upload items and support the ongoing development of the online platform.
Alongside building the archive, the project aims to inspire young audiences and connect them to the past, break down barriers to participation, foster a sense of community belonging, improve wellbeing through social prescribing partnerships, and deliver meaningful heritage activities for underrepresented groups.
Cllr Rebecca Longbottom, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council, said: “Our residents, businesses and visitors are what make up our history. From the photos you have to the memories you hold, we would love for you to get involved. Whether it’s photographs, letters, artwork or information, every contribution helps tell the story of Lincoln’s green spaces.
“I think an online archive is a wonderful thing for our city to have, and as it keeps growing, future generations will be able to look back and admire all of Lincoln’s historical eras.”
To explore the archive, contribute materials, or find out how to volunteer, visit locallandscapeshiddenhistories.omeka.net/.
Top picture shows Frank, Doll, Phyll, Martha and Sling enjoying the lake at Hartsholme in the 1920s, while below are people gathered at the gates of the Arboretum in 1905 going to collect water during Lincoln’s typhoid crisis. The bottom picture shows King Edward VII arriving at the then Royal Show on June 26, 1907.
