Archive Blog

In this blog you will find articles about the University’s collections, its history and the work we do in the University Records and Archives team.

Self Portrait of Gordon Cullen

The Gordon Cullen Archive

The Archive of alumnus and urban designer/theorist Gordon Cullen was added to the University Archive in 2015.  Since then we have been working to make it more accessible. In this post we look at Cullen’s career and the work we have been doing on the Archive.

A group of Ramblers on a bridge over a canal

The Polytechnic Rambling Club

Founded in 1885, the Polytechnic Rambling Club was one of the Poly’s first clubs. The club is no longer part of the University but is still going strong.

Announcement of Peace in Europe from the Polytechnic Magazine, May 1945

VE Day 75

8 May 2020 marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.  In this post we look at how the Regent Street Polytechnic reacted to the news.

Photo of a Poly War Comforts Parcel

Coronavirus and Wartime Britain

The current Coronavirus emergency has been likened to wartime Britain, so the Records and Archives team have been searching through the (online) archives from home to find a few comparisons with World War Two.

Photo of the programme for the Polytechnic Institution, Dec 1861

Ghosts and Pantos at the RPI

The Royal Polytechnic Institution (RPI) was famous for its magic lantern shows and Pepper’s Ghost illusion.  Learn more about them here.

Photo of a man and a child using the slide at a garden party

The Annual Garden Party

First held in 1906 for the opening of the Quintin Hogg Memorial Sports Ground at Chiswick, the Garden Party became an annual feature of Polytechnic life.  Learn more about it here.


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