Stories

The history of the North East is never a single story. 

It can begin with a painting or photograph, an object that has survived for centuries, or something seemingly ordinary that reveals how people lived. 

Our museums and galleries care for collections spanning thousands of years, with stories of Roman life, growing towns and cities, shipbuilding, mining and industry sitting alongside art, fashion, scientific discovery, protest, migration and popular culture. There are deeply personal histories here too – the experiences of people whose names may never have appeared in a history book, but whose lives are part of the North East’s rich and complex past.

Explore in a way that suits you

• Browse the full collection of stories and see what catches your interest
• Travel along the timeline through our region’s past
• Explore the map to discover where it all took place

Narrow your search by theme or era to find what interests you.