Event Details

This event is part of the Being Human Festival - the UK's only national festival of the humanities 12-22 November.

Early 20th century postcards were the original social media. People could send quick, cheap attractive picture messages that would arrive within hours. Just as today, friends exchanged messages while travelling or at work. We have postcards telling people what to buy for dinner, where to meet later that day, and of course exchanging views on the news or more intimate thoughts…Pictures were selected or commissioned from a huge range including celebrities, cute cats and conundrums. Or you could create your own selfie!

In this online talk, join Professor Julia Gillen, Lancaster University to explore the links between the Edwardian Picture Postcard and the modern world of social media. She will introduce you to the project website and show how you can explore your own family or local history interests. She will also show how you can contribute to this citizen humanities research project yourself.

Links to further information will be shared and you will be welcome to make contact after the event.