Public Record Office

Upcoming events at Public Record Office

Public Record Office is a library in Strand on the Green. Near Here currently lists 9 upcoming events, including Family history: tracing your North American ancestors, 1783-1960, Time Travel craft club and Time Travel Tots: messy play.

Likely freeChildren & FamilyHistory & Heritage

Family history: tracing your North American ancestors, 1783-1960

Many thousands of people set out from Britain to build new lives in north America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Join James Cronan, collections specialist at The National Archives as he discusses the rich and varied sources available including passenger lists, records of births and deaths at sea, passport registers and Loyalist claims and how these can be used in your family history research. This webinar comprises a pre-recorded video and a live Q&A so come prepared with your questions.

Fri 24 JulPublic Record Office

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Arts & Culture

Around £3

Time Travel craft club

Spend time together being creative with crafts during the school holidays. Take a seat at our craft stations – packed with colourful materials – in the friendly environment of our café and see what you can imagine. Find out more If you have any questions about this event, please send us an email. Email Copy email address

Tue 1 SeptPublic Record Office

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Children & Family

Around £5

Time Travel Tots: messy play

Bring along your tots to get hands on with a range of colourful and tactile materials on playful themes. We recommend that your child wears clothes that they can get messy in. You may want to consider bringing a change of clothes. Aprons and wipes will be provided. Find out more If you have any questions about this event, please send us an email. Email Copy email address

Fri 11 SeptPublic Record Office

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Live MusicTheatre

Around £5

Time Travel Tots: musical storytelling

Paul the musician will take you and your child on an exciting journey using music, songs and movement inspired by a historical document from our collection. Find out more If you have any questions about this event, please send us an email. Email Copy email address

Wed 23 SeptPublic Record Office

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Community

Around £20

Behind the scenes tours

Journey through the archives going behind the scenes in our repositories and reading rooms. Along the way you'll have get to see an intriguing selection of our historical records. Please note: this tour does involve walking and standing for most of the time. We also have a small number of dates available for group tours. Please email for more information and to book.

Thu 24 SeptPublic Record Office

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Community

Around £5

Time Travel Tots: sensory storytelling

Come and join us for some sensory storytelling! Dani, our storyteller, will take you on imaginary journeys inspired by the archives, and excite your child’s senses. The storytelling lasts for 30 minutes, with time for playing and chatting afterwards. Please book the session that is most appropriate for your child’s mobility: First session: 10:15 to 11:00 for 11 to 24 months (walkers) Second session: 11:30 to 12:15 for 0 to 10 months (non-walkers) Find out more If you have any questions about this event, please send us an email. Email Copy email address

Fri 25 SeptPublic Record Office

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Community

Around £15

Curator tour – Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763–1783

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence and the emergence of the United States of America. Discover the story of the American Revolution from a British point of view and how Britain understood, governed, and eventually relinquished its American colonies. Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763–1783 explores key political events and conflicts of the Revolution and their impact on everyone from rebels, British Loyalists to Indigenous nations, enslaved people and Black Loyalists. Tours will take place on the dates and times listed at The National Archives in Kew, and will last approximately 45 minutes with time for questions.

Fri 13 NovPublic Record Office

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Likely freeCommunity

Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763–1783

Featuring original maps, correspondence, first-hand accounts and reports, visitors are taken on a journey spanning twenty years that shaped history. A rare, original ‘Dunlap broadside’ of the Declaration of Independence, printed on the night of 4 July 1776, is also on display. Alongside the familiar story of Britain and the rebels, discover more about those often overlooked in the traditional narrative – Indigenous peoples, Black Loyalists, and enslaved persons. Uncover the human consequences of the decisions made on both sides of the Atlantic during this time of shifting powers and allegiances. Revolution 250: America’s Independence Story 1763–1783 not only documents the key political events and military manoeuvres on the road to American independence but also explores the impact of the conflict on those who lived through it. For this exhibition our team consulted with members of the Onondaga and Mohawk nations, and the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Nova Scotia. This exhibition contains material relating to colonial violence, slavery, and warfare. Some records include ideas, language and imagery that may be offensive or distressing. Exhibition supporters The exhibition is supported by The National Archives Trust and made possible through the generosity of members of the Exhibition Circle: The Bisset Trust Emma and Justin Dowley Rosalind Hedley-Miller Mr and Mrs Heesom Marc and Rachel Polonsky and those who wish to remain anonymous.

Sun 29 NovPublic Record Office

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Likely freeCommunity

Hamilton at The National Archives

To complement our new exhibition Revolution 250 , visitors can get up close to the story of America’s foundation with our display of costumes from the award-winning musical Hamilton. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of The US Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America, in which Hamilton played a starring role. An immigrant from the West Indies, he became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War, going on to shape the America we know today. Transporting the stage production that blends hip-hop, jazz, rap, and more, on display are the costumes of George Washington, King George III, and Alexander and Elizabeth Hamilton. From frock coats to satin dresses, for the first time in the UK, see the iconic 18th century-inspired costumes that appear on stage. Hamilton is currently playing at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London. Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763–1783 This display complements our free exhibition Revolution 250 that charts the emergence of the United States of America.

Sun 29 NovPublic Record Office

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Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.