Research
Local histories
Detailed studies of individual streets, estates and markets, drawing on maps, directories and council records.
Our purpose
Mission and aims
HILT exists to research, preserve and share the history of London in ways that inform and connect communities.
Why we exist
London has changed constantly, and many of its stories risk being lost. HILT was set up to gather evidence of the city's past and to make it useful to students, residents and researchers alike.
Our work rests on careful research, respect for the people whose lives are recorded, and a commitment to sharing knowledge freely.
Our core aims
Four principles guide every project we take on.
📚
Preserve
Safeguard documents, images and oral histories so they remain available for future generations.
🔍
Research
Test local stories against reliable sources and publish findings that can be checked and reused.
🏛
Share
Present history through walks, talks, exhibitions and accessible online resources.
🤝
Connect
Work with schools, neighbourhood groups and volunteers so that history belongs to the communities it describes.
Our current programmes
Learning
Schools outreach
Classroom resources and visits that help young people explore the city as a living source of evidence.
Collections
Collection care
Cataloguing, conservation planning and careful storage for records donated by Londoners.
What volunteers say
Working on the collection gave me a new way of seeing my own neighbourhood. The aims of the project are clear, and every task connects back to them.
Joined in the archive programme
Help us achieve our aims
Support our work as a volunteer, partner or supporter and help keep London's history within reach.
Get involved