The community history website Historypin launched its new First World War Centenary hub at a special event in the Houses of Parliament hosted by the UK Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) on October 22nd 2014.
Developed through a partnership with UK HLF, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Jisc and Imperial War Museums, the hub is a free online space for people to share historical and contemporary photographs, films and sounds being collected to mark the Centenary of the First World War.
The interactive hub allows the user to explore content using maps and timelines and discover community stories surrounding WWI.
The hub also shows Centenary activities taking place around the UK, so you can check your local area to get involved.
Speaking at the launch of the hub in the Houses of Parliament, Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “So far, through our small grants programme alone, the Heritage Lottery Fund has helped more than 700 communities across the UK mark the Centenary. This new hub will enable those groups to share the stories and archive materials they’ve been uncovering, whilst creating a dynamic digital legacy that future generations can look back on.”
Historypin say people around the country have already uploaded pieces of history, including:
Art from Ammunition: Trench Art from the First World War
A display of objects from WWI by-products created by soldiers, prisoners of war, civilian internees and refugees.
We Have Our Lives
Bristol Cathedral remembers a fallen casualty for every month of the conflict and tells their stories.
Breandán Knowlton, Executive Director of Historypin, said: “Thousands of people all over the UK are marking the First World War Centenary and Historypin’s hub will help these communities work together and share the stories that they uncover. Open, free access to all of these materials will ensure that many more people can contribute, collaborate and better understand the war”
To access the hub, clik here.
Historypin is a not-for-profit website that brings people together from different generations and cultures to collaborate with their local community to share, explore and document their local history.
Posted by: Hannah Schneider