National Memorial Arboretum launches project to capture 25 years of memories

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire is inviting members of the public to help shape its first formal archive by sharing photographs, documents, objects and memories connected to the site as part of Archiving Remembrance – a heritage project culminating in the creation of the organisation’s first formal archive.

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Thanks to National Lottery players, Archiving Remembrance will document the creation and development of the Arboretum, making it one of the UK’s most significant millennium heritage projects. The archive will store oral histories, analogue and digital documents, ledgers, plans, journals, photographs, films and other ephemera directly relating to the Arboretum’s development as a visitor destination.

Working with team members past and present, supporters, individuals and communities connected to the Arboretum, the project aims to ensure the stories of those who shaped this special place are preserved and shared with future generations. From memories of early visits and involvement in the Arboretum’s development, to photographs, souvenirs and documents connected to activities and events, the archive will show how the Arboretum was created and reflect its continuing role in contemporary Remembrance.

The Archiving Remembrance project team have been cataloguing and digitising materials already held in the Arboretum’s collection since May, 25 Years since the site officially opened to the public. They are now seeking contributions from the wider public.

“The Arboretum holds the collective memory of our Nation, but the story of how this special place came to be is still being written,” said Aaron Rossi, Exhibitions and Heritage Manager at the National Memorial Arboretum. “As we mark 25 years since opening to the public, we want to hear from the people who have helped shape the Arboretum’s story. Whether you were involved in its early development, have volunteered or worked here, attended events, supported our growth, or simply have memories of visiting, we’d love to hear from you. We’re particularly interested in photographs, documents, objects and memories that help tell the story of the Arboretum itself, its creation, development and impact over the past 25 years. Together, these contributions will help us preserve the history of this site and the people connected to it for future generations.”

Visitors can learn more about the project and meet members of the heritage team onsite at the Arboretum in the Heritage Hub, a pop-up space dedicated to the project, until 30 September. In the Heritage Hub visitors can meet the project team, watch materials being catalogued and digitised, and help identify people and moments from the site’s early years. As well as collecting archive materials, the project is also gathering oral histories, ensuring personal experiences connected to the estate are recorded and preserved alongside photographs, documents and objects.

Archiving Remembrance will culminate in a special exhibition opening onsite later this autumn, followed by a publication offering new opportunities for visitors to explore the Arboretum’s unique heritage and the stories that continue to shape its future. For more information about Archiving Remembrance and to book a free visit: www.thenma.org.uk/archive.