This exhibition showed how the past can also yield up its secrets, and illustrated how evidence about historic events survives through surprising voices and in curious contexts. Sometimes the documents were meant to remain secret. Records of government officers reveal the activities of early spies, and private correspondence provides frank and confidential views on scandals from previous centuries. In other cases, hidden value is discovered as books and manuscripts reveal unexpected layers of meaning.
Audio of lunchtime talks
Headphones may be required as these were recorded in a large auditorium
Beating the System: How to Uncover State Secrets Through Archival Research
Dr Rory Cormac, an expert in British intelligence and lecturer in International Relations, introduces the murky world of espionage. He discusses the highs and lows of using archives to access sensitive material, sharing some surprising revelations along the way.
Secrets and Surprises: Unexpected Finds in the University's Historic Collections
Dr Dorothy Johnston, co-curator of the exhibition and former Keeper of Manuscripts, describes the development of the exhibition's themes with further illustrations from the collections.
Propaganda Online: Windows on War, Soviet Posters 1943-1945
Cynthia Marsh, Emeritus Professor of Russian Drama and Literature, discusses the development of an innovative online exhibition showcasing the University's collection of Soviet War Posters: windowsonwar.nottingham.ac.uk
Audio interviews:
May Day Marches
Emeritus Professor Chris Wrigley discusses the history of May Day protests. He explains how the first organised marches in 1890 were linked to centenary celebrations for the French Revolution. He describes how 1 May was used from that date to stage protest marches, with different issues being raised over the years in different countries.
Medieval Literature
Emeritus Professor Thorlac Turville-Petre gives an account of the Rushall Psalter. He discusses its history and contents, and explains its unusual survival in the hands of one family line. From his own research, he explains what we can learn from the surprising range of vernacular literature found in its leaves.
Visitor Comments:
"An excellent exhibition which illustrates completely the importance of archival material and the necessity of record offices and other collections.”
"Fascinating glimpse of the hidden”
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