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The Plymouth Community History Festival

 The Plymouth Community History Festival is an annual event co-produced by local arts         organisation WonderZoo and The Box, Plymouth's award-winning museum, art gallery, and   archive. Launched to coincide with Black History Month in October, the festival celebrates             Plymouth’s diverse and multicultural heritage by bringing together communities, historians,

 and storytellers and run in 2025,2024 and 2023

 

 Origins and Mission

 

 The festival was first established by WonderZoo's founder, Slain McGough Davey, alongside

 the Plymouth Community Heritage Network and The Box. Its core mission is to elevate   underrepresented narratives in the city's heritage, featuring a diverse lineup of speakers

 and researchers from Caribbean, Indian, African, Mixed-race, and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.

 

 What the Festival Includes

 While specific programming varies each year, the festival typically spans several days in

 early October and features a vibrant mix of activities:

  • Community Hubs & Exhibition Pods: Over 20 local history and heritage groups set up information stalls at The Box.

  • Historical Talks: Guest lectures covering overlooked aspects of local history, such as the

  • post-war history of Plymouth's Polish community or global wartime connections.

  • Guided Heritage Walks: Themed excursions exploring different eras of the city, including

  • its former queer districts, cinema history, and localized tours of areas like Stonehouse

  • and the Tamar Valley.

  • Creative Performances: Live theatre, poetry readings, and musical performances                         produced in partnership with regional companies like Beyond Face and Imperfect Cinema

  • Active Archive Displays: Special physical displays highlighting historical local                      milestones, community groups, and diverse sporting icons.

 

 The festival relies on grassroots support and is regularly funded by organizations like the           Plymouth Octopus Project (POP) and regional landscape partnerships

 and other local funding support and over the three years thousands of people

 have engagements   across its various formats and events.

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