Who We Are
The Regional Heritage Centre (RHC) promotes and celebrates the rich social and cultural heritage of North West England by engaging with the regional community.
Regional Heritage Centre
Established in 2014, the Regional Heritage Centre promotes and celebrates the rich social and cultural heritage of North West England by engaging with the regional community.
Newsflash
Visit the Regional Heritage Centre’s Local History Fair - find out more about local history and heritage organisations active near you.
On Saturday 2 December, there will be a great opportunity to explore the many history and heritage organisations active around the Lancaster area and in the greater North West. This event is organised by the Regional Heritage Centre (Lancaster University History Department) as part of its landmark 50th anniversary celebrations and will be free entry for the general public – no registration required!
It starts at 10.00am at the Friends Meeting House, Meeting House Lane in Lancaster, where a wide range of local organisations will be setting up stalls, ready to meet visitors and tell them more about their valuable work and activities. Browse through a fascinating range of brochures and publications, pick up a second-hand bargain to bolster your bookshelves, talk to members about projects that suit your particular interests and sign up for future activities and mailing lists – all in a convivial social atmosphere.
There will be short presentations throughout the day, with free talks by RHC Co-Director Dr Chris Donaldson, Dr Jean Turnbull (Lancaster University) and Dr Sarah Rose (Victoria County History of Cumbria project.) With hot soup, drinks and cake available to buy, you’ll want to dip in and out, bring friends and family along and make a full day of it. Please join us and show your support for history and heritage in the North West. See you there!
(please note that no dogs are allowed except for service animals and there is no parking available on site).
-
-
News
Do you want to carry out your own local history research but are not sure where to start? Or would you like to improve your skills and knowledge but need a flexible programme that fits around your other commitments? Our Post Graduate Certificate in Regional and Local History, a 12-month part-time online course, is now recruiting for an October start.
-
Support the RHC
The RHC relies on the generosity of our Friends and Patrons. Find out more about the benefits of supporting the RHC in this way.
-
VCH Cumbria
The Victoria County History (VCH) of Cumbria project aims to write the history of every place in Cumbria with the help of volunteer researchers.
-
Consultancy and Placements
Our academic expertise, our students, and our experience of event management and publishing can help to support heritage organisations in the region.
-
Regional Heritage in Schools
The RHC is developing activities to help schools in the North West engage with the Local History element in the school curriculum.
-
Oral History and Other Archives
Find out more about the Elizabeth Roberts Working Class Oral History Archive.
-
Publications
Books published through the former Centre for North-West Regional Studies are still available for purchase through the RHC, along with more recent publications.
-
Study With Us
Our distance learning Post Graduate Certificate in Regional and Local History is recruiting for an October start, while our award-nominated short course 'Lancaster Castle and Northern English History' is accessible for free on the Futurelearn platform.
-
Our events
We offer a programme of study days and other events on the heritage of North West England which are all open to members of the public.
-
External Events and Announcements
Events and news from around the region.
Forthcoming Events
More Events
50th Anniversary Programme 2023
Photo credits (clockwise from top left):
- Vindolanda - Dr S.J.E. Riches;
- Recruiting for the Women's Land Army, Preston, 1918 - Courtesy of Lancashire County Council's Red Rose Collections;
- Abram exhibition at Shetland Museum - Dr R. David;
- Student placement at Barrow Archive Centre - Dr S.J.E. Riches;
- Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Arts Pod - Dr S.J.E. Riches;
- St Patrick's chapel, Heysham - Professor F.L. Edmonds
50th Anniversary Programme 2023
2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Centre for North West Regional Studies, predecessor of the Regional Heritage Centre.
We are celebrating this significant milestone with a programme of special events focused on the heritage and culture of North West England. Please check our website regularly for the latest news.
Contact Us
By Post
Regional Heritage Centre
Department of History
Bowland College
Lancaster University
Lancaster
LA1 4YT
United Kingdom
By Phone
+44 (0)1524 593770
Usually staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:30-15:30
By Email
RHC Director:
Professor Fiona Edmonds
Academic Co-ordinator:
Dr Sam Riches
Administrator
Ann-Marie Michel
For the Victoria County History of Cumbria, please contact Dr Sarah Rose