Untold Hull

Untold Hull is an oral history collection that archives the stories and experiences of people connected to the City of Hull. The stories may be about historic events, about special days in the life of the City or they may be about growing up in Hull, going out, working and having fun – the small everyday things that are part of all our lives.

These stories form part of a new permanent digital collection, forming a unique social history archive. Hundreds of hours of recorded interviews are accessible via this website and the library catalogue. Untold Hull is part of Hull Culture & Leisure Ltd. and is funded by the James Reckitt Library Trust.

The James Reckitt Library Trust

The James Reckitt Library Trust was established as an independent charitable trust in 1892 by Sir James Reckitt (1833-1924), the pioneering industrialist and philanthropist. Originally intended to support the James Reckitt Library in east Hull, it now helps to develop public library provision throughout the City.  The projects and activities which it funds are designed to stimulate a love of reading and learning, particularly among children and young people, to encourage those who might not normally use public library services to do so,  and to raise awareness of what modern public libraries can offer.  Examples of recent projects funded by the Trust are the annual Children’s Book Award, the Summer Reading Challenge, and the redevelopment of the Western Library, the first free library in Hull to be established from the public purse.

Sir James Reckitt (1833-1924) was a pioneer industrialist and philanthropist, one of Hull’s greatest citizens. Libraries were among his many philanthropic passions. He campaigned tirelessly for the establishment by the City Corporation of public libraries in Hull, and at his own cost built the first free library in the City, the James Reckitt Library in east Hull.  The opening of the Western Library in 1895, the first to be established from the public purse, was a direct result of his campaigning efforts.  The James Reckitt Library Trust was established by Sir James in 1892.  Originally intended to support just the James Reckitt Library, the Trust now helps to develop public library provision throughout the City.

Hull Culture & Leisure Ltd.

Hull Culture & Leisure Ltd. is an arms length, not for profit company that delivers Leisure, Heritage, Catering, Parks, Libraries and Sports Development services for Hull City Council.

Creative Commons

All material deposited in the Untold Hull archive and included on the Untold Hull website is covered by the terms of the Creative Commons ‘Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives’ licence. For more information about Creative Commons licences please see creativecommons.org or contact us.