Early Days
Since its foundation in 1924 Wakefield Historical Society has played a significant part in the life of the city. Research by its members has contributed very substantially to an understanding of the locality's past. The Society took the leading part, in association with the local authority and Leeds University in carrying out the excavation of Sandal Castle between 1964 and 1973.
wakefield historical publications
Wakefield Historical Publications was founded within the Society in 1977 to publish original research of regional significance. It succeeded in raising sufficient funds to salary an editor, to bring together a team of experts from different archaeological disciplines, and to publish the magisterial report, Sandal Castle Excavations, in 1983. It has published some 45 other books and monographs.
more information: Wakefield Historical Publications
The gissing trust
In collaboration with the Civic Society the Historical Society founded the Gissing Trust in 1978 to ensure the preservation of the boyhood home of novelist George Gissing (1857-1903).
more information: The Gissing Trust
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Friends of wakefield Chantry chapel
In 1990, again in collaboration with the Civic Society, the Historical Society was one of the founders of the Friends of Wakefield Chantry Chapel, a body which has subsequently ensured the repair and maintenance of the medieval chantry of St Mary the Virgin on Wakefield Bridge.
more information: Friends of Wakefield Chantry Chapel
the road to fotheringhay 2010
More recently members of the Society organised a major project for the 550th Anniversary of the Battle of Wakefield at which Richard, Duke of York, was killed. In 2010 members of the Society arranged a 9-day tour following Richard's funeral route from Pontefract to Fotheringhay, staying in the places where the funeral rested each night, and visiting sites of relevance to the period.
more information: www.richarddukeofyorkfuneral.org.uk
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