Archive Blog
In this blog you will find posts about the University’s collections, its history and the work we do in the University Records and Archives team.
Find out more about the end of the Second World War through items in our University Archive and Menswear Archive
The London Marathon was established in 1981 but did you know the Polytechnic Marathon, 1909-1996, was the first annual marathon event in Europe? Learn more in this post
Domestic Science Education at the Regent Street Polytechnic
For International Women’s Day 2025 we’ve looked into the history of Domestic Science teaching at the Polytechnic
2024 sees the start of the Olympic Games in Paris. We’ve gone back 100 years in the archives to uncover the Poly athletes that took part in Paris 1924.
Jo Spence – International Women’s Day
For International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we have taken a look at the career of Jo Spence, influential photographer and writer who studied at PCL in the late 1970s-early 1980s.
For National STEM Day we’ve taken a look at young women studying science, engineering and mathematics during WW1.
Hayley, our Digital Archives and Records Officer and Charlie, our Assistant Curator give an insight into their first six months in their posts
Francesco reflects on the conclusion of his three months in the University Archive
For Disability History Month, we have explored two initiatives the University has been involved with during its history
First Half of an Archives Assistant’s Journey
Francesco reflects on the first half of his time spent working as Archives Assistant.
My First Two Weeks as Archives Assistant
Archives Assistant, Francesco describes his first two weeks working in the University Records and Archives team.
We take a brief look at the life of the founder of the Regent Street Polytechnic.
From 1876 the Polytechnic held annual exhibitions, fêtes and social events in the New Year. Learn more here.
A Warm Welcome to Academic Year 2021/22
Here’s a look at the services we have on offer this academic year
Did you know that the Polytechnic’s sports clubs produced 118 Olympians. We have showcased some of their achievements here.
As the delayed Euro 2020 grips the nation’s attention, we have taken a look at the history of one of the Poly’s first sport clubs that still exists today.
Our websites are an important record of the University’s teaching and research. We take a look at how we archive websites at Westminster, preserving these important sources for the future.
‘See the Best of Britain’: staycations with the PTA
As the UK starts to open up for UK-based holidays once more, we look at some of the British holidays offered by the Polytechnic Touring Association.
Celebrating the 1921 Women’s Olympiad
It’s 100 years since the first international women’s sporting event, and athletes from the Polytechnic played a key role.
The Polytechnic Secondary School
Did you know that Quintin Hogg established a Secondary School for boys in 1886? Learn more about the School in our latest blogpost.
In 1888, the Polytechnic established a Christmas Dinner Fund to provide those in need with parcels of the necessary provisions for a Christmas Dinner. During its 52 year existence, the Fund fed over 1 million people and raised over £73,259 (nearly £4 million today).
Digital Sources in the University Archive
For the Institute of Historical Research’s History Day 2020 we take a look at some of the digitised and born-digital material available in the university archive.
Bridging the Digital Gap at Westminster
Jacob, our digital trainee, reflects on his year with the University Records and Archives team. This post looks at some of the work he has been doing to help preserve the digital heritage of the University.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Royal Polytechnic Institution (RPI) was famous for its magic lantern shows and Pepper’s Ghost illusion. Learn more about them here.
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.