On 3 February 2026, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) launched a new year-long programme in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, focused on the area’s shipbuilding and industrial past. The new series of events, called Quayside Shipbuilding & Industrial Heritage Stories, gives residents the chance to explore the history of the workers and firms that shaped the region.
The programme features a variety of activities, including guided walks along the riverside and workshops where people can learn traditional industrial skills. Many of these events will be hosted at St Mary’s Heritage Centre, one of Gateshead’s oldest buildings (and the town’s oldest church), which is now managed by the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust.
Local families and historians can also look through the Shipyards Collection, which has been officially recognised through inscription to the UK Memory of the World Register (UNESCO). This collection includes records from major local shipbuilders such as Swan Hunter and Hawthorn Leslie, illustrating how the Tyne became a world-leading centre for ship construction and repair.
The 2026 events are supported by Arts Council England funding (via TWAM’s National Portfolio Organisation award) and by Museum Development North East. These activities are designed to help people stay connected to the town’s heritage while the Gateshead Quayside undergoes regeneration, including plans for the new Sage arena and International Conference Centre nearby — a major project whose decisions and timetables have experienced delays.
A digital portal has also been updated to include interactive maps and digitised historical objects that people can view from home. This initiative is part of a wider plan to make local history easier for everyone in the community to access and enjoy throughout the year.
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