Durham History Centre phase 2 consultation
We asked for your say on our exciting plans for Mount Oswald Manor House.
We are now able to provide feedback from your responses received:
Background
Plans to create a new history centre were approved by our councillors in January 2019 following extensive consultation. Durham History Centre will bring into one central location the story of the history and heritage of the county, as told through historic records, photographs and objects. The proposals will bring Mount Oswald Manor House back into use, adding a high quality, visually appealing extension which will complement the existing building. It will also be the new home for the Durham Register Office offering significantly enhanced facilities for weddings and civil ceremonies in a historic setting.
Previous consultations found there was overwhelming support for a co-located facility, with good public transport links, good digital access and modern research facilities. You also told us that you would like to see the DLI/military collection being included in the new centre, which we have listened to, and acted on. Key priorities for you were exhibitions, multi-media access to collections, adult talks and behind the scenes tours.
What are we proposing to have at Mount Oswald
The extension will provide space for exhibitions, activities and events, which celebrate our county's history, and a secure home for the heritage collections. There will be an attractive destination café for all as well as a catering offer. There will be space to view original historic documents and objects both physically and digitally and a dedicated volunteer room. A dedicated classroom will expand access for children and schools countywide.
The existing Manor House will provide enhanced register office services.
Countywide activities and exhibition programme
- Free entry to our permanent and temporary exhibitions exploring the history of County Durham.
- Learn about the lives of people and their stories through our fun and interactive countywide outreach programme.
- Exhibitions will bring to life the fascinating history of County Durham from pre-history through to the modern day.
- Activity programme with storytelling sessions, behind the scenes tours, volunteering opportunities and community projects.
- Exciting education programme for local schools.
Five heritage collections will move to Mount Oswald:
- Durham County Record Office archive: all material covering the last 900 years of County Durham and Darlington, including the DLI written and photograph records, will move from County Hall
- Births, deaths and marriage records: 200 years of historic birth, death and marriage records currently held at Bishop Auckland Register Office
- Durham's Historic Environment Record: information on the human impact on Durham and Darlington's landscape from the first settlers up to modern times and currently held at County Hall.
- DLI objects collection: covering the 200 year history of the Durham Light Infantry regiment currently held in Spennymoor. This collection will be reunited with the written and photographic record held in County Hall for the first time since 1998.
- Items from the local studies reference collection: original research materials and rare editions on the county's heritage, currently held at Durham Clayport library. Any copies will remain in the library.
Register office services
- Enhanced facilities in a stunning location for weddings and civil ceremonies for up to 100 guests.
- Mount Oswald will be the new home for the register office at Aykley Heads House and Bishop Auckland Register Office.
- A facility to register births and deaths will continue at Bishop Auckland, Consett, Stanley, Seaham, Chester-le-Street, Barnard Castle, Stanhope, and Crook
The building
You will need to look at the document below as it shows you information about the building, and views of building plans. If you are having problems accessing the information, please contact us.
We asked for your say
Your responses will help us to develop our plans on how we deliver services from the centre. We asked for your views on:
- the proposed design and layout of the building
- themes for exhibitions
- digital access to the collections
- using the register office services
The deadline for comments was 5.00pm on 28 July 2019.
Location | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
Aykley Heads House Durham Register Office Durham DH1 5TS | Friday 21 June | 10.00am-1.00pm |
Bishop Auckland Town Hall Bishop Auckland DL14 7NP | Monday 24 June | 12 noon-3.00pm |
Durham AAP meeting Collingwood College South Road Durham DH1 | Tuesday 25 June | 5.30pm |
4 Together AAP Dean Bank and Ferryhill Literary Institute St Cuthberts Terrace Ferryhill DL17 8PP | Wednesday 3 July | 5.30pm |
Stanley AAP The Venue Wear Road Stanley DH9 6LU | Monday 8 July | 5.30pm |
East Durham AAP Hazelwell Centre Haswell DH6 2DY | Wednesday 10 July | 5.30pm |
Mid Durham AAP Hamsteels Community Centre Western Avenue Esh Winning Durham DH7 9LS | Wednesday 10 July | 5.30pm |
3 Towns AAP Council Chamber Civic Centre North Terrace Crook County Durham DL15 9AZ | Thursday 11 July | 5.30pm |
Spennymoor AAP Croxdale Community Centre The Old School Back Rogerson Terrace Croxdale Durham DH6 5HJ | Thursday 11 July | 5.30pm |
Chester-le-Street AAP Walter Best Hall Cornerstones Centre for the Community North Burns Chester-le-Street DH3 3TF | Monday 15 July | 6.00pm |
Great Aycliffe AAP Aycliffe Village Hall 9-12 North Terrace Newton Aycliffe DL5 6JL | Tuesday 16 July | 5.30pm |
Derwent Valley AAP Consett Salvation Army Hall Sherburn Terrace Consett DH8 6ND | Wednesday 17 July | 5.30pm |
East Durham Rural Corridor AAP Trimdon Community College Association Elwick View Trimdon Village TS28 6JU | Thursday 18 July | 4.30pm |
Weardale AAP Durham Dales Centre Castle Gardens, Stanhope County Durham DL13 2FJ | Thursday 18 July | 5.30pm |
Bishop Auckland AAP Civic Hall Main Street Shildon DL4 1AH | Thursday 18 July | 5.30pm |
Clayport Library Millennium Place Durham DH1 1WA | Friday 19 July | 12 noon-3.00pm |
What happened next
A planning application has now been submitted and can be viewed here.
- Durham History Centre consultation
- Durham History Centre consultation