1st June – 10th July, Mansfield Central Library NG18 1NH

Thanks to support from Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme, CEE Notts is launching a new exhibition in Mansfield Central Library as part of its Capturing Shadows programme, sharing the history of Central and Eastern European communities from 1940’s to the present day, and the town’s relationship with the region.

The public have been invited to submit photos to be included in the exhibition and can be added throughout the exhibition period.

The exhibition will include objects, photos, and ephemera relating to the communities, focusing on three core industries of mining, transport and retail. Tales of everyday folk, to familiar faces like 1954 Wimbledon winner Jaroslav Drobny, who had a continental meat factory in Warsop, will be explored.

More events are set to coincide with the exhibition including a historical talk and digital collection days.

Elysia Louise Heitmar from the University of Nottingham will be visiting Mansfield Library on the 11th June to discuss the lives and cultural activities of migrants arriving in Mansfield and Nottinghamshire from Central and Eastern Europe, throughout the course of the twentieth century. Historic England celebrates working class histories and seeks to explore untold stories and celebrate the people and places at the heart of our history.

Join Elysia Louise Heitmar for this fascinating talk:

Talk: The Cultural Lives of Central and Eastern European Migrants in Mansfield and Nottinghamshire in the Twentieth Century – CEE NOTTS

Liam Skillen, Project Manager, CEE Notts, said:

“This exhibition will really highlight the important contributions Central and Eastern European
communities have made to Mansfield: its industries, culture, and landscape. Most importantly, it will allow people to learn, and celebrate the diversity that makes Mansfield great.

The local community has really got behind the project, and without them this exhibition simply
wouldn’t be possible. If we can encourage more people to be involved in local heritage that can only ever be a good thing.”

Louise Brennan, Midlands Director, Historic England, said:

“This exhibition offers a really personal insight into the memories of people of Central Eastern
European heritage living in Nottinghamshire. Created by local communities it will tell the hidden story of those who have made Nottinghamshire their home from the 1940s onwards.”

A full summer programme will shortly be announced. Please see the CEE Notts site for further
details: What’s on – CEE NOTTS

Capturing shadows is being funded by Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme, celebrating working class histories.

About CEE Notts

CEE Notts is an online archive sharing memories of Nottinghamshire’s Central and Eastern
European communities from past and present. Through social media and public programmes
we promote learning and cultural exchange for those living in Nottinghamshire. We celebrate the diversity of Central and Eastern Europe: its culture, history, and people.

Find out more at: https://ceenotts.co.uk/

About Historic England

Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s
spectacular historic environment.

Find out more at: Historic England – Championing England’s heritage | Historic England