Hull History Centre receives award and welcomes its 30,000th visitor

Hull History Centre has welcomed 30,000 people through its doors since opening on January 25 2010 – a target managers initially hoped to reach by the end of 2012.

The 30,000th visitor, Christine Carr from Skirlaugh, who was researching her family history, was presented with a souvenir paperweight by the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor David Gemmell.

He said: "The number of visits to the history centre demonstrates the scale of interest in culture and local history in Hull".

At the ceremony on 27 August to mark this milestone, Hull History Centre was also presented with a Good Mark Award from Hull Civic Society for its success since it opened.

The Civic Society recognised that the Hull History Centre is already 'enhancing our lives by providing a significant new destination'. They also commented that it is an impressive and unique building, and it well deserves current appreciation as one of the country's most exciting archival research and resource centres.

The Chair of the Civic Society, John Netherwood, presented the award to the Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber, Councillor David Gemmell OBE, and Dr Richard Heseltine, University Librarian and Director of Academic Services at the University of Hull.

The Lord Mayor is a member of the History Centre Board of Management, and as portfolio holder for culture in 2005 oversaw the initial bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the History Centre project along with the design of the building. He said:

"On behalf of the History Centre Board and the partnership, I am delighted that the Civic Society has recognised our achievement in bringing the History Centre project to completion. It is a great asset for our city, and will ensure that its past is preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy."

Dr Heseltine said:

"The University is delighted to be part of this project and share this striking building with our partners at the city council. This Good Mark award for the building is the first award it has received. I am delighted that it is from the Hull Civic Society which plays such an important role in the enhancement of the city's built environment."

The History Centre is a joint initiative between the City Council and the University of Hull. Dr Heseltine, who holds the post once held by Philip Larkin, was involved in the project from its inception ten years ago.