Industry News

The name for a new history centre for County Durham has been revealed.

The centre, which is currently under construction and due to open to the public in 2023, is to be called The Story at Mount Oswald.

The project brings the Grade II listed Mount Oswald Manor House back into use, while the addition of a high-quality, visually appealing extension. This will complement the existing building and provide a secure future for more than five miles of county archives, charting almost 900 years of history.

It will also be home to historic registration records, the historic environment record, local studies collections and the DLI collection, reuniting the DLI objects and written record for the first time since 1998.

A key new cultural venue supporting the county’s bid to be named UK City of Culture 2025, The Story will transform the way the history of County Durham is told, helping people to discover the past, celebrate the present and create the future of Durham.

There will be free entry to permanent and temporary exhibitions at the site which will tell the fascinating history of the county, brought to life through the often-unheard voices and lesser told narrative of the working people and communities who have been pivotal in shaping the county.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We’re delighted to be able to announce the name of County Durham’s new history centre, which promises to be a popular destination for residents and visitors alike for years to come.

“The Story is a fitting name as the site will help to create new stories and share old ones. This includes registering a birth, celebrating love stories through weddings and civil partnerships, and sharing tales of honour won in battle alongside the history of our towns and villages, our traditions, our culture and our homes.

“We are putting visitors at the heart of the experience so that they feel represented, understood and celebrated. The Story will be a place not just to uncover history, but where visitors can mark their own milestones.  

“History and heritage are an integral part of County Durham and our heritage venues, like The Story, are central to our bid to be named UK City of Culture 2025. Once open, the venue will allow us to show off even more of our diverse cultural offering to residents and visitors of all ages, backgrounds and circumstance.”