Lectures
Our programme of lectures runs from September to April each year. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ad Lib Library building in Drury Lane, starting at 7.30 pm. Talks include subjects of local and regional interest, encompassing historical and archaeological matters.

Non-members are very welcome at a charge of £1.

Summer Excursions
During the summer, excursions to places of historical interest are run in conjunction with Wakefield Civic Society. Some are full day excursions, some are part day or evening. Costs vary according to coach hire and entrance costs. Members are welcome to bring guests.

Other events
Activities such as extra talks, courses and guided walks are sometimes organised by members of the Society. Events either in Wakefield or further afield which are hosted by other societies and groups may be of interest.

Associated Trusts
Wakefield Historical Society is privileged to be associated with two local historic trusts, the Friends of Chantry Chapel and the Gissing Centre.

Heritage Matters
The Society often concerns itself with issues relating to local heritage which are usually mentioned in the newsletters that every member receives. If you are concerned about any local heritage matters, do let us know.

Projects and members research
The Society encourages members to be actively involved in research and other projects. Those interested in research are encouraged to contribute articles for the journal or the website or to give a talk to the society. Occasionally the Society produces other publications like 'Wakefield Worthies'.

If you are interested in any of our projects please contact us.

Transcription of Wakefield Manor Court Rolls
Members of the Society have begun work on transcribing the 1781-2 Wakefield Manor Court Roll, part of the 700-year sequence of Wakefield's manor records whose worldwide significance has now been recognised by their being placed on the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register. The Roll has added interest as it extends considerably beyond land transactions, for it contains a number of wills and – of especial interest to family historians – a considerable selection of named individuals.

The Portobello Project
To help elucidate more about the Battle of Wakefield, Pam Judkins is starting a project to look at possible fieldwork which will help identify where the Battle actually took place. The project is likely to include field-walking, geophysics, "Time Team" type small trial trenches in willing Portobello residents' gardens, and metal detecting. The project will involve working with other partners such as the Battlefield Trust, who have carried out similar projects on other UK battle sites, and Wakefield Council. Volunteers would be most welcome

"The Wakefield Files" National Archives project
Phil Judkins regularly works in the National Archives at Kew, and has brought to the Society's notice the number of files held nationally which relate to Wakefield and its district, including previously unrecorded files covering subjects as diverse as the Battle of Wakefield's aftermath, insurrection in 1420s Pontefract, Wakefield's mills, Wakefield soldiers in the Napoleonic wars, and convicts from Wakefield's prisons deported to the colonies; enough subjects to interest anyone and everyone! The project's aim will be to create a listing and summary of those files, if possible cross-referenced to local archives, to develop WHS members' skills in using this material, and to organise visits to the National Archives for those who have never used this treasure-house of information and who may feel inhibited from going alone.

Pontefract to Fotheringhay 2010
Our project to commemorate the death of Richard, Duke of York at Sandal in 1460 and his later funeral procession is ongoing. The project group are still giving lectures and will be publishing a leaflet for others to follow the funeral route.

Cataloguing of newspapers is undertaken at the Local Studies Library.