This post was written by Lucy Baker, Graduate Trainee Library Assistant at the Institute of Historical Research.
There is just one month to go until History Day 2026, showcasing the lives and voices of ordinary people through the theme of ‘Grassroots History.’ We are so excited to welcome over eighty organisations to Senate House, London on Wednesday 18 November. As the countdown to History Day begins, it’s time to put some of these organisations in the spotlight!
History Day 2026, ‘Grassroots History, Grassroots Collections’
History Day 2026 encompasses a wide variety of historical specialties, stretching from the ancient world, represented by the Institute of Classical Studies, to the much more recent topics showcased by the British Library’s department of Contemporary British Archives and Manuscripts. Shakespeare’s Globe, the Black Cultural Archives and the Royal College of Nursing Library and Museum among many others are joining us from here in London. We will also be welcoming organisations from further afield including Norfolk Heritage Centre and Whitby Museum. Ranging from local histories, the focus of organisations such as the Tower Hamlets Local History Archive, to global subjects covered by the German Historical Institute, there really is something for everyone at History Day. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or are a regular attendee, there is something new to discover around every corner of the fair.
The Royal College of Nursing Library and Museum have provided us with this image of a nineteenth-century rectangular nurses case from the RNC Object Collection. You can browse their full object catalogue here: https://exhibitions.london.ac.uk/s/history-day-discover-collections/item/3466
Many organisations will embrace the theme of ‘grassroots history’, the experiences of ordinary people taking a prominent position in their stands. HOWL (History of Women’s Liberation) aim to showcase the lives of women involved at every level of the women’s Liberation Movement between the 1960s and 1990s. The organisation was founded by second wave feminists, publishing the memoirs and stories of these women whose voices may have otherwise been lost. Their work encapsulates the theme of ‘grassroots history’, as its focus remains on preserving the words and stories of ordinary women fighting for equality.
The Lambeth Local History Forum will similarly highlight the grassroots nature of their organisation. A group bringing together individual societies and institutions throughout the Lambeth Borough, they plan to shine a light on the local history expertise of the Lambeth Borough Archives and the lives of local residents preserved in their collections. The Lambeth Palace Library also plan to embrace the grassroots history theme. The library of the Archbishop of Canterbury includes many references to the lives of individuals, their struggles and successes, evident in collections relating to housing issues and the relief of poverty. The theme of History Day 2026 will provide the opportunity for a diverse range of interpretations, and we can’t wait to see how many organisations bring these to life on the day.
History Day 2023 in Senate House, London
We also look forward to enjoying the contributions of a varied range of organisations joining us for the first time. Among these newcomers to History Day is the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, the national archive of folk music and dance, sharing insights on their extensive collections of folk-related manuscripts from throughout England. The Social History Archive will also be joining us for the first time, showcasing their extensive online archive focused on British and Irish resources, as well as items from the former Empire. We will also be welcoming the London Transport Museum Library, their collections providing insights into transportation and its impact on the social history of London over the past two centuries.
This blog showcases only a few of the amazing organisations taking part in History Day. The full list of participating organisations and many of their online contributions can be found on the History Day 2026 website. Join us in November to discover more grassroots histories and many often unheard voices from the past.