How do people know what our town used to look like?

Our towns in the United Kingdom are filled with historical significance.

There are clues all around us to help inform us of how our towns have changed and developed over time.

There are many clues into our past and remains of historical events and time periods.

Local people are also incredibly important.

They offer an insight and knowledge into a local area and have often been eye witnesses to key events such as Jubilee celebrations, or passing on stories through time.

Knowing what to look for and who to speak to helps us to better understand where we have come from.

Remember: If you do explore your local history, make sure you go with a trusted adult.

Important words on what towns used to look like.

Have you ever noticed the buildings in your local area?

What do you notice about the different styles of houses, flats, public buildings such as shops, libraries and restaurants?

Many older buildings, such as banks and post offices, have been repurposed and are not used for their original purpose.

You can use clues such as looking for old signs on buildings, street names and archive photographs.

You can often tell the era of a building by observing the style and design of a building. However, sometimes newer buildings are made to look like older buildings.

Street names can be used to provide information on the history of trade in towns or landmarks. For example, Mill Road in Cambridge is named after a windmill!

Other street names such as ‘Bank Street’ or ‘Church Street’, can indicate whether there is a particular landmark or building of significance.

Some street names are named after significant people.

There is a strong link between cause and effect (understanding that one thing happening may make something else happen) with street names, there has often been an event, person or historical time period that has inspired the name of a street.

Have a look in your local area, what do you notice about street names?

Museums and libraries help us to see into our past.

They often include archives (a collection of objects that people use to learn about the past) of many sorts of things:

• newspaper records
• old photographs
• historical artefacts
• maps

Archives help us to identify the continuity and change of our towns (understanding how some things have stayed the same and others have changed over time).

Knowing where to look empowers us to gain a better understanding of our past and helps us to build our futures.

Libraries such as The British Library in London, contains a huge amount of history. Visiting your local church or library with a trusted adult may enable you to find archives.

Schools often have their own archives including registers and log books.

Have a look at the thinking points below and think about your answer to each question. You could even write them down on a piece of paper or discuss them with somebody else if you want to.

• What clues can you find in your local area that would help you to learn more about the past in your town?

• What do some libraries contain that may help you to find out information about your local area?

Are you a parent, carer or teacher?

Take a look at some of the links below on KS2 History which are packed full of knowledge, videos, quizzes and activities.