YORK HISTORY BLOG

Read about York's Diverse History

Research Blog Articles

We provide a number of free educational resources about the history of York – check them out.

Chocolate is central to York's Tourism, as in the Shambles

York and Chololate: Uncomfortable History and Global Connections

York's chocolate industry is central to the city's modern history and tourism. However, a critical look at the networks that shaped cocoa trade bring forward conversations about race, exploitation and colonialism.

A blue plaque to Anne Lister in York attracts many tourists.

Anne Lister's York: a Lesbian Icon or Enemy of the Working Class?

Anne Lister has become an important name in York's queer tourism. However the history of Anne Lister, a 19th-century trailblazer, diarist, and LGBTQ+ icon, is strewn with controversy.

York's Jewish history is symbolised by Clifford's Tower as a place of violence

Jewish History in York: The Pogrom at Clifford’s Tower

York's Jewish history includes persecution and violence in medieval pogroms. Remembering their resilience, through memorials and walking tours, is important for reconciliation.

Captain Cook was born in Yorkshire before sailing to the Pacific.

Captain Cook: Yorkshire Hero, Global Antihero

Captain Cook is a name associated with global travel and navigation. This post bridges Captain Cook's heritage in North Yorkshire, Pacific colonial controversies and clashes over Middlesbrough's local museums.

York's ghost stories attract many tourists, but ghost tours can also reveal historical violence

Ghost Stories of York and the Haunting of Empire

York is famous for its ghost tours and stories of haunting. Yet, such ghost stories also evoke postcolonial theory and legacies of violence.

Lithograph of King’s Manor as it was during its time as the School for the Blind__edited.j

King's Manor: once York's School for the Blind, today an Accessibility Blackspot

Accessibility costs are impacting one of York’s iconic buildings, but this isn’t the first time it has struggled to accommodate disability.

Want to learn about this overlooked histories on the streets? Join us!

Uncomfortable York Tour

Uncover the unheard stories of York on a guided walk through the historic centre. Our walking tour provides the perfect introduction to the rich history of the beautiful and iconic city, while going beyond traditional narratives and highlighting stories of women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people of colour.

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