Learning about Edwardian York from archive images
A collection of images which depict York, and particularly the Fishergate area, in the early 1900s. Explore York Archivist Laura Yeoman identified these items in the local archives in response to a set of questions devised by members of Blueberry Academy's 'Citizenship' group. The group was taking part in a series of workshops to find out more about the history of the Melbourne Centre, founded in around 1905 and formerly known as The Men's Institute. Most of these images can be viewed on the Imagine York website (http://www.imagineyork.co.uk/).
This horse-drawn taxi cab is by Bootham Bar. The picture is probably from the 1870s, so it's a little earlier than the period we were focusing on.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/38462767351/
Some of the questions the group came up with related to types of transport in the city. Did people have cars? What were trams like and were there other ways to get around?
This photograph shows the last of the horse-drawn trams in York and was taken in 1909.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/38462732531/
This electric tram is on Fulford Road.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37576676885/
This women is pictured with her bicycle on the bridge over Tang Hall Beck in about 1890.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/38407022286/
Boats were another form of transport which was important to the city. This is the view to Ouse Bridge from Skeldergate Bridge in about 1890.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37576886985/
Or for something completely different... This man is hanging from a balloon at York Gala, probably in the 1910s.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37749153664/
These children are standing by a horse and cart in Garden Place in Hungate in around 1895.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/24591257938/
This picture of Acomb Road was taken in about 1908,a s the construction work for the electric tramlines was just starting.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/26686794559/
Sanger's Circus is pictured in St George's Field in 1908.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/26686659059/
Other questions related to pastimes and leisure. What did the Edwardian residents of York do to have fun? Were there ever fairs? Was there a cinema?
These elephants were part of Sanger's Circus parade. They are pictured on Monkgate in 1908.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/38431425212/
This image shows a garden party at Kilburn House in Fulford, the home of Alderman Agar, in July 1913.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37748339084/
From 1896 until the 1910s, York residents could see films at various venues, including the Theatre Royal, the Opera House and the Festival Concert Rooms. York's first cinema was in the former Wesleyan Chapel, New Street Hall, which was converted in 1908. However, York's first purpose-built cinema, the Electric Cinema, is pictured here at its opening in 1911.
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/resources/images/3627084.jpg?display=1&htype=1497&type=responsive-gallery
These boys are standing in front of Fred Wood's grocers shop at 89 Goodramgate. The boy who is crouching may well be playing marbles.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37577000005/
Perhaps a visit to a Tea Room? This restaurant and chocolate shop occupies the corner of Minster Gates.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/24591315008/
And there was always the pub! The White Swan Hotel is pictured shortly before the creation of Piccadilly.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/24591194718/
This picture of the hoardings next to Fishergate School was taken on 9th April 1902.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/24591306408/
The Melbourne Centre, now home to Blueberry Academy, is located next to Fishergate Primary School. The Citizenship group wanted to know whether the school was open in 1905 and what life was like for the children who attended. Did they have a uniform? What could they learn and were they strictly disciplined?
These children from Fishergate School are pictured in the late 1890s. The gentleman on the right is thought to be Mr George T Barker.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37576952065/
This row of cottages is currently unidentified.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37749161794/
The learners wanted to know what home life was like in the early 1900s. Unfortunately, there is a lack of photographs showing the inside of houses (particularly the homes of working class people) but Laura was able to bring pictures of houses and cottages. Some of them are still standing today! She also brought images of the kind of things a York resident might have seen on their way to work or school, such as local businesses.
This is Acomb Road in about 1905.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37748356234/
Jubbergate is pictured in around 1910.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/38407927216/
William Merry's Bakery was on the corner of Micklegate and Priory Street.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127532267@N05/37576996705/