The National Archives

It's opening day! 🎊

Today we're excited to open our brand-new exhibition Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763-1783.

Featuring original maps, correspondence, first-hand accounts and reports, visitors will be taken on a journey spanning twenty years that shaped history. A rare, original ‘Dunlap broadside’ of the Declaration of Independence printed in Philadelphia on the night of 4 July 1776 will be on display, along with the Olive Branch Petition to King George III, signed by many of the men who would become the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the United States.

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.

For this exhibition our team consulted with members of the Onondaga and Mohawk nations, and the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Nova Scotia.

Open until 29 November, opening times and days may vary.

Click here to find out more about the exhibition: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/revolution-250-americas-independence-story-1763-1783/

Don't forget to have a look at our 'Opening Times' page before your visit.

Come and see the signature that changed the course of history.

This handwritten note, signed by George Washington in October 1781, accepted Britain’s surrender at Yorktown, bringing major fighting in the American Revolutionary War to an end.

The letter was given to Charles Cornwallis, Britain’s Lieutenant General commanding the southern campaign, in Yorktown, Virginia, following the British request to end hostilities to agree the terms of their surrender. Washington replied stating his ‘ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood’.

After the war, Cornwallis took Washington’s letter home with him to Audley End in Saffron Walden, Ess*x, where it remained in the family archive before being presented to the Public Record Office, a predecessor of The National Archives, among other papers in 1880.

This letter will be on display for the first time as part of our new exhibition which opens tomorrow, Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763-1783.

Find out more about the exhibition: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/revolution-250-americas-independence-story-1763-1783/

Feeling the World Cup fever yet? ⚽ 🏆

This year's tournament got underway last week and is now in full swing, but you may be wondering: What can government records tell us about the football World Cup?

Foreign Office files, records from the Prime Minister's Office , crisp packets and more, reveal intriguing stories from the famed tournament's history.

Learn more here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/explore-by-topic/international-trade-and-affairs/football-world-cup/

'I love and only love the fairer s*x' - Anne Lister's diary, 29 January 1821 🌈

Known as ‘the first modern lesbian’ and portrayed on our TV screens in the 2019 series Gentleman Jack, Anne Lister (1791-1840) was a prolific diarist and landowner who lived in Halifax, Yorkshire. Lister had many relationships with women and wrote about them in code. Over 30 years, Anne roughly wrote 5 million words across 27 volumes.

Lister’s most notable relationship was with Anne Walker (1803-1854). The pair took communion together on Easter Sunday 1834 and considered themselves married. In legal documents, Walker described their relationship as being 'for many years on great intimacy', and they wrote each other into their wills.

Watch our YouTube film to learn more about Anne Lister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tndp4QSKNoI

Portrait of Anne Lister by Joshua Horner c. 1830. The portrait is on display at Shibden Hall, which was Lister's home © The Picture Art Collection / Alamy Stock Photo
Catalogue reference: PROB 10/6000, and PROB 10/7038
Catalogue reference: PROB 10/6000

In 1765, New York City looked very different.

This map shows a small settlement at the southern tip of Manhattan, when New York was still a British colony. You can already spot familiar places like Bowling Green and the Battery - but look a little closer, and there’s trouble beneath the surface.

The Stamp Act of 1765 had brought in a new and unpopular tax on everyday printed materials like newspapers and legal documents. The three Royal Navy ships in the North River, along with notes on the map, hint at the unrest this caused. Tensions were rising and protests were turning violent.

Sent to London to explain events on the ground, this map captures a city on the brink - just before the spark of the American Revolution.

Explore the full story in our latest article: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/a-map-of-new-york-city-during-anti-tax-riots/

Reference: MPI 1/168

Inside the Registered Designs cataloguing project ✨

Our brilliant volunteers are helping to unlock one of our most visually rich collections - a vast archive of designs registered for copyright protection in the UK. From textiles and wallpapers to toys, vehicles, clothing and household goods, each design tells a story from Britain’s industrial past.

Since the project began in 2024, volunteers have transcribed an incredible 53,958 records from nearly 75,000 entries, for records from 1885-1888. Their work is transforming access to the collection - making records keyword-searchable and uncovering hidden names and histories.

A huge thank you to everyone involved for making these remarkable records accessible to all.

Explore volunteer Jessie O’Keeffe’s blog to discover one of the stories behind the designs: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/the-collection-blog/from-our-volunteers/cataloguing-the-bt-51-and-bt-50-registered-designs/

Image 1. Pin cushion, Registered by Debenham & Freebody, 8 March 1886. Ref: BT 50/60A/44452; BT 51/22

Image 2. Handkerchief featuring Africa and astrological symbols. Registered by Guthrie & McArly, calico printers, Glasgow, 30 March 1885. Ref: BT 50/31/24443; BT 51/12

Image 3. Lady’s belt. Registered by Charles Blankley, London, 14 August 1886 Ref: BT 50/70/54134 and BT 51/27

Image 4. Printed textile pattern, registered by Thomas Hoyle and Sons, Ltd, calico printers, Manchester, 28 February 1885. Ref: BT 50/29/22780 and BT 51/12.

Join us for a day of history, stories and hands-on exploration at The National Archives.

Archives Fest will be a jam-packed day inspired by our collections and our current exhibition Revolution 250. With talks, tours, activities and performances across the site, there’s something for everyone.

Go behind the scenes with exclusive tours of our repositories and conservation studio, hear the fascinating stories that shed light on iconic documents as well as hidden gems, and get expert advice on researching your family history.

Enjoy a full programme of:
• Inspiring talks on Magna Carta, the Bag of Secrets, the Great Exhibition and wartime communications
• Hands-on history experiences, from medieval records to the Second World War
• Family-friendly crafts, creative workshops and activities
• Live performances, theatre and music
• Outdoor games and entertainment
• Delicious food trucks to keep you fuelled throughout the day

Explore the full programme and book your tickets now: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/events/archives-fest-2026/

Tours are expected to sell out, so we advise to book early.

Did you catch the new BBC series Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution last night? 📺

You may have seen Lucy examine one of the most important documents in our collection - the Stamp Act of 1765. A controversial law passed by British Parliament, the act imposed direct tax onto American Colonies for the use and possession of all paper goods – including legal papers, newspapers and even playing cards! This caused several months of protests and the act was quickly repealed on 18 March 1766, even though the road to revolution had already begun…

See the Stamp Act for yourself and learn more at our free exhibition, Revolution 250: America’s Independence Story 1763–1783, opening 24 June at The National Archives in Kew.

Find out more here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/explore-by-topic/democracy-and-protest/causes-of-the-american-revolution/

The National Archives reference: YHL/PO/PU/1/1765/5G3n11

Image 2, 3 : The National Archives, YHL/PO/PU/1/1765/5G3n11

Image 3: The National Archives, YHL/PO/PU/1/1765/5G3n11

We did it! 🏆

Our previous major exhibition MI5: Official Secrets has won Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year at the Museums + Heritage Awards.

Our Chief Executive Saul Nassé expressed his delight and gratitude, saying that ‘The award is not only recognition of a very successful collaboration between The National Archives and MI5, but also proof that archives inspire, educate and entertain.’

From double agents to Cold War secrets, you explored it all with us, all 55,000 of you!

A huge thanks to everyone who visited, and to our brilliant partners at MI5.

Read the full news story here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/the-national-archives-wins-museums-heritage-award/

Image Credit: Hayley Bray