Lilian Redstone Celebration Day

Honouring Lilian Redstone MBE BA (1885–1955), who helped shape how Suffolk’s history is kept and shared today.

In the early 1900s, she was one of the first women to make history her profession, working with medieval documents and manuscripts to research, transcribe, and publish local history. Her high standards of accuracy and attention to detail have informed the work of archivists and supported researchers ever since.

By 1947, she had helped establish the first county record offices in Suffolk, in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich – the foundation of Suffolk Archives today. This event celebrates her legacy and invites you to immerse yourself in Suffolk’s archival heritage as our archivist team share with you some of the treasures from our collections.

Join our archivists and conservator for a panel discussion on experiences of archival work and what the profession means and involves today. We will be joined by special guest Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Shepherd who will be speaking about her recently published research around pioneering female archivists like Lilian.

We will be hosting behind-the-scenes tours throughout the day and will be joined by colleagues from our local history networks for the chance to promote and explore the wider heritage work within Suffolk and beyond.