Our heritage
Over 25 years we have generated an extensive and valuable archive of voice recordings and video interviews and have collected photographs and other artefacts kindly donated to us by the many individuals and communities we have worked with. This archive is an important regional heritage resource that we have a responsibility to protect, develop and share.
Oral history archive and photographic collection
Donnison School
We have also restored and renovated The Donnison School, a Grade 2 listed building in the East End of Sunderland (web link to map) which is now the home of the Donnison School Heritage and Education Centre where we conduct a significant part of our business.
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We also have a new base at the Elephant Tea Rooms Local History Library @ETR (link) in the centre of Sunderland for our oral history archive and from where we can also conduct some of our oral history activities once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
Our heritage
Over 25 years we have generated an extensive and valuable archive of voice recordings and video interviews and have collected photographs and other artefacts kindly donated to us by the many individuals and communities we have worked with. This archive is an important regional heritage resource that we have a responsibility to protect, develop and share.
Oral history archive and photographic collection
Donnison School
We have also restored and renovated The Donnison School, a Grade 2 listed building in the East End of Sunderland (web link to map) which is now the home of the Donnison School Heritage and Education Centre where we conduct a significant part of our business.
​
We also have a new base at the Elephant Tea Rooms Local History Library @ETR (link) in the centre of Sunderland for our oral history archive and from where we can also conduct some of our oral history activities once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
Our heritage
Over 25 years we have generated an extensive and valuable archive of voice recordings and video interviews and have collected photographs and other artefacts kindly donated to us by the many individuals and communities we have worked with. This archive is an important regional heritage resource that we have a responsibility to protect, develop and share.
Oral history archive and photographic collection
Donnison School
We have also restored and renovated The Donnison School, a Grade 2 listed building in the East End of Sunderland (web link to map) which is now the home of the Donnison School Heritage and Education Centre where we conduct a significant part of our business.
​
We also have a new base at the Elephant Tea Rooms Local History Library @ETR (link) in the centre of Sunderland for our oral history archive and from where we can also conduct some of our oral history activities once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
We Living History Northeast was established in 1995 as a regional specialist in oral history. In these 25 years we have worked with many different local and regional partners to engage with individuals, groups and communities, exploring their personal testimonies. For example we have captured oral histories from the coalmining and shipbuilding communities in the North East, the people who underpinned the UK economy for over 100 years. Our reach is broad and inclusive; we have worked with older people, black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) as well as people suffering with ill health like stroke and dementia sufferers, sharing in their experiences and giving them all a voice.
Our experience
We Living History Northeast was established in 1995 as a regional specialist in oral history. In these 25 years we have worked with many different local and regional partners to engage with individuals, groups and communities, exploring their personal testimonies. For example we have captured oral histories from the coalmining and shipbuilding communities in the North East, the people who underpinned the UK economy for over 100 years. Our reach is broad and inclusive; we have worked with older people, black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) as well as people suffering with ill health like stroke and dementia sufferers, sharing in their experiences and giving them all a voice.
Our experience
MAKING MEMORIES MATTER
Digital Centre for Oral History
Living History northeast
Historical Artefacts
In addition to our media archive we also have a collection of historical artefacts, or objects from the everyday lives of the people we have interviewed. Some of these artefacts have also been given to us by members or visitors over the years, or have sourced by us for special events or activities to enhance audience experiences.
Being able to handle an object from the past - a purse, a comb or a pair of spectacles - can be a magical experience for people of all ages. Many of these artefacts are on display at the Donnison School (link) and many are kept in storage and brought out whenever possible. This collection includes an extensive range of clothing from Georgian times to the 1960’s.
A small selection of these artefacts are pictured here for you to enjoy.
We are also happy to assemble collections of artefacts including toys in ‘Reminiscence Packs’ for schools and community learning, for example on topics like WW2, home life in the 1960’s and inter-faith themes.
If you would like to find out more about this, or our collection of historical artefacts as a whole, or if you have any items that you would like to donate or bequeath, please contact us for an informal discussion:
Email: Livinghistory.ne.ltd@gmail.com
Mob: 07925 063078
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