News and Events

The crossings to Walney and the story of the bridge: a talk by Peter Laird

Barrow Archive Centre, Thursday 24 April 2025 at 7pm

Before the building of Walney Bridge, people had to either walk across the channel or catch a boat. Peter will talk about all the crossings and the building of the bridge.
Free event. Booking Essential. Telephone 01229 407377 or email barrow.archives@cumberland.gov.uk.

Commonplace book title page William Pennington

The diaries of William Fleming, yeoman farmer of Pennington, 1800-1821

Talk by Susan Benson at Barrow Archive Centre, Thursday 29 May 2025 at 7pm

William Fleming's diaries cover everything from botany, natural history, the weather, social comment, the theatre, education and the church, to agriculture. He records local events, makes comments about people's behaviour and gives us a good idea of what life was like in the early 19th century.
Free event. Booking Essential. Telephone 01229 407377 or email barrow.archives@cumberland.gov.uk.

Read all about it here (PDF, 5.54MB) or flick through the flipbook version

Changes to access to records at Kendal Archive Centre

The following Kendal collections have been moved on a temporary basis to Barrow Archive Centre and are available to consult there.
WDRY: Le Fleming of Rydal Hall
WDVAS: Josefina de Vasconcellos

Kendal Archives Centre will provide an interim public service from the Herdwick Room in the local studies library at Kendal Library, Stricklandgate, Kendal LA9 4PY. Please note the following important changes to our service:

Please book an appointment and request records at least 72 hours before your intended visit as researcher spaces are limited in the Herdwick Room
Our opening hours will change to Wednesdays to Fridays, 10am-4pm (no lunch closure)
We cannot offer a drop in service at the Herdwick Room - an appointment will be required
Our contact details will remain the same
We can arrange deposits at County Offices by prior appointment. Please contact us for further details.