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Talking Buildings: St Albans’ Historic Sites Share Their Stories Online.

Mix Mornings with Paul Osgood

St Albans Museums has launched “Talking Buildings,” an innovative online exhibition designed to bring the rich history of St Albans’ architecture directly to the public. Curated by Catherine Newley and her team, the exhibit explores the stories of iconic buildings in the city centre, narrated from the perspective of the structures themselves. This unique approach offers locals and visitors a fresh way to experience the city’s architectural heritage.

The exhibition emerged during the redevelopment of the St Albans Museum, with a team of volunteers researching and scripting narratives as if each building were a character with its own voice and story. “People pass by these buildings daily, often without knowing their histories,” says Newley. “With ‘Talking Buildings,’ visitors can now hear these stories, either from home or while exploring the city.”

One highlighted building is the Anthropology shop—originally saved from demolition by the campaigner Frederick Kitton, who rallied over 600 supporters to preserve it. Another example is the Grange, now a pub, which was once a grand residence with lush gardens and melon-producing greenhouses.

Available through the St Albans Museums website, “Talking Buildings” allows users to dive into both audio “sound bites” and in-depth research. For those walking through the city, the website offers an immersive experience where they can listen to these stories while standing in front of the buildings, adding a new dimension to exploring St Albans’ historic landscape.

Related website : https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/

More about: History

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