Heritage Open Days 2021

Heritage Open Days runs from 10-19th September 2021. For a full directory of free events taking place in York, visit the Heritage Open Days website.

York Civic Trust offers events, free to all, as part of this week long celebration of all things heritage.

Morrell Plaque Unveiling

To start the week, York Civic Trust will unveil a plaque to one of our founding members, John Bowes Morrell, at Fairfax House. As we celebrate 75 years since our foundation, the plaque to the former Rowntree’s director and Lord Mayor will be unveiled to mark the week, before a permanent unveiling at his former home on Burton Stone Lane later in the year. Join us on Friday 10 September at 13:00.

Voicing the Hidden: Creative Walking Tours

We are delighted to present ‘Voicing the Hidden’ — two creative walking tours on Fossgate and Walmgate led by renowned York-based poet Robert Powell, film-maker Ben Pugh, and historian Joshua Scarlett. The tours focus on the hidden and less noticed aspects of these two much-loved York streets. Participants will be encouraged to creatively capture their own impressions — on Tour 1, through words and writing, on Tour 2, through writing, photography (or both!), and Tour 3 through photograohy. Following the tour there will be an opportunity to relax with a coffee, reflect, and share ideas, words and images. The aim of the event is to explore and enjoy York’s heritage and to consider ‘hidden histories’, tangible and intangible, and the role of imaginative approaches in exploring and valuing the city’s past.

Each tour is available for 12 people. People with all levels of experience are welcome, and no special equipment is needed. Each tour will last approximately one hour, followed by 45 minutes in Hungate Reading Café.

Drawing on the pool of creative material produced from the tours, an event consisting of presentations and discussions is set to take place this Autumn. Tour participants, artists, York Civic Trust Members ,and the general public are invited.

Tour 1 – Monday 13th September at 13:00 – 15:00

Tour 2 – Wednesday 15th September at 13:00 – 15:00

Tour 3 – Sunday 19th September at 10:00 – 12:00

John Goodricke Plaque

Join us at The Treasurer’s House on Friday 17 September at 13:00 as we unveil a new plaque to the eighteenth century astronomer John Goodricke. The newly worded plaque replaces a 1952 version and celebrates Goodricke’s achievements in observing stars before his death aged just 22 in 1786.

Pitch for Plaques

York Civic Trust opens up its blue plaques selection debate in a new forum designed for Heritage Open Days: Pitch for Plaques. Nominators are invited to make brief, lively and fun pitches in front of an audience. Join us in the audience by signing up on Eventbrite. The event has been POSTPONED until later in the Autumn. More details released soon.

For the first time, York Civic Trust is opening up its selection meeting and those who have nominated candidates for blue plaques in the past few months are invited to make their pitch for their preferred subject in this unique, new forum. Having just a few minutes in front of an open audience and our panel of judges, each person is encouraged to make lively, interesting and brief submissions for their subject.