25 Mar 2024
Cassivellaunus, the tribal leader believed to have fought the Romans at Wheathampstead is just one of many characters to be found at the Harpenden Local History Day at the Eric Morecambe Centre on April 20.
Using rarely seen maps and images from its archive, the History Society will track the history of the area we now know as Harpenden from pre-Roman times to the present.
From Cassivellaunus to steam trains, to the Rothamsted Ramblers Ladies Hockey Club, you will see the town’s development from rural village to thriving town.
Visitors can track Harpenden’s growth on historic maps showing the spread of new building and communities over the centuries. Notably, the dramatic expansion over the period 1879 to 1939.
The exhibition will be accompanied by short talks on key features of Harpenden’s past:
Dr Alan Punter – Victorian Village Life
Dr Alexander Thomas – Railways
David Kendall – Sports
Rosemary Ross – Harpenden Schools
With the permission of the Eric Morecambe Centre, local charity the Harpenden & District Local History Society will be utilising the entire EMC for Harpenden Local History Day , marking both the society’s 50th anniversary and the official opening of the town’s new museum.
The event will be presided over by Annie Brewster, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire 2024-25 (in Nomination). Highlights will include exhibitions on the history of Harpenden and district, other local society exhibitions, a special children’s competition, and history talks throughout the day.
Further details will be released in due course. Keep checking the St Albans Times for updates.
