Heritage fact sheets

Learn more about Sunderland's fascinating history with our free to download Local History fact sheets. Developed with the help of our outstanding Local History Library, we have produced 27 fact sheets to help tell the story of Sunderland. The fact sheets cover a range of characters, places and artefacts including Jack Crawford, the Wearmouth Bridge and the Codex Amiatinus.

Sunderland Local History Library @ETR

A core part of statutory public Libraries Services offer for the city, the Local History Library @ETR holds some of the largest collections of historic records and information on Sunderland, with a vast collection of photographs, maps, film, trade directories, Corder directories, parish registers, newspapers and more.

Recently relocated to the Elephant Tea Rooms on the corner of Fawcett Street, the ground floor offers microfilm and readers, study areas, historical maps and all local history services, while the space on the first floor has space to deliver events and activities, which could include anything from dementia and reminiscence workshops to creative programmes to support general health and wellbeing. Professional library staff with a breadth of knowledge across the collections manage the Local History Library @ETR and can support with all enquiries. Living History North East, Regional Oral History Centre will also have a presence in the building.

The Elephant Tea Rooms were built between 1872-1877 by Henry Hopper and designed by Frank Caws, the upper floors boasted Doulton & Co terracotta ornamental elephants, as well as oriental birds all over the façade. In its day, the business was credited with controlling one of the largest retail tea, coffee and grocery trades in the whole North East of England.

For more information on opening hours or any further enquiries please visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries or email local.historylibrary@sunderland.gov.uk