Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. This year The Story is celebrating by hosting a range of exciting tours, events and activities.
Some events are bookable – follow the links on bookable events to reserve your space.
DLI Collection store tour
Sunday 14 September | 11:00 – 11.45
Join us for a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of the DLI store at The Story! Come and view some of the objects too delicate to display and hear from the curators about how the collection was moved to its new home.
Duration – 45 minutes
10 spaces per tour – booking required, enhanced checks and photo ID required
County Durham Archives Collection store tours
Sunday 14 September | 14.00 – 14.45
Sunday 21 September | 11:00 – 11.45
Join our County Archivist for a ‘Behind the scenes’ tour of the County Durham Archives, picking out store highlights, key objects, and local stories all connected to Architecture.
Duration – 45 minutes
10 spaces per tour – booking and photo ID required
The Story – building tour
Sunday 21 September | 14:00 – 14.45
Join one of our team for a special buildings tour. Learn about the building’s history and how as a venue we have enjoyed being open in this first year.
Duration – 45 minutes
10 spaces per tour – booking and photo ID required
Heritage Open Days – for families
Sunday 21 September | 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:00 | Free | No booking required
Discover how we built our world!
Join us on a fun-filled adventure through County Durham as we explore the amazing buildings and homes around us. Celebrate the clever creators who’ve shaped our towns, villages, and communities, with creative activities for all ages. Design colourful carpets, decorate picture frames and recreate your home with clay as we discover how the places we live in help tell the story of who we are!
Collections Room display
Sunday 14 September and Sunday 21 September | 10:00 – 16:00 | Free | No booking required
Step into the past as The Story team showcase their personal favourites from our architectural collections. In our research area, uncover the untold stories behind everything from new town developments and mid-century housing estates to elegant orangeries and pioneering women.
All ages are welcome, though under 16’s need to be accompanied by an adult.
Architectural Views
Seaham’s origins
Admire the original plans for Seaham, crafted by esteemed Newcastle architect John Dobson at the request of Lord Londonderry.
Peterlee’s bold vision
Discover the mid-century vision for Peterlee, a design that stirred controversy and still sparks conversation today.
The Pease Women
Raised in a Quaker family, learn about the daughters of Mary and Edward Pease. Trace Mary’s legacy through the Alms-houses at South Terrace, Darlington, founded in 1820 and rebuilt in 1895.
Browse a selection of home plans from across County Durham. Could one be familiar? Explore aged miners’ homes and perhaps spot a blueprint for a local theatre.