Research

The more we know the richer we are

We collect, preserve and share Blackpool's collections. Working with our schools, communities and volunteers we seek to illuminate Blackpool's history. In our research section you can read more about Blackpool, delving deeper into the history and discover more stories from the themes that will feature in Showtown.

Seaside

Discover more about Blackpool's growth into a seaside resort and the many developments Blackpool has seen over the years.

Seaside curiosities

Join us on an adventure into the past to discover some disgusting facts about Blackpool's seaside history.

An old photo of a girl on the beach beside an horse lead ice cream cart

Sharon Heppell

In Conversation with Sharon Heppell

Learn more from historian, Sharon Heppell, about her Romany Gypsy ancestry in Blackpool.

Crowds on beach in front of shipwreck

The Wreck of the Sirene

The story of one of Blackpool's most dramatic shipwrecks, the day the Sirene struck the North Pier.

Children riding donkeys on the beach

The Tale of Two Donkeys

Blackpool is famous for its Donkeys, but did you know it used to host an annual Donkey Derby Race?

Magic

Blackpool inspired so many magicians over the years but many of these stories have gone untold. Here we begin to unravel those significant links between Blackpool and the world of magic.

It's a wonderful life

Blackpool based magician and entertainer, Leslie Melville, shares highlights from his magical life.

A photograph of falling playing cards

The extraordinary life and career of Karl Bartoni

Discover more about Blackpool's Karl Bartoni, his extraordinary life and career.

Behind the scenes: Discovering the Magic in Blackpool

Discover more about the relationship between Blackpool and magic!

Cyril Critchlow

The Lancashire magician who inspired Blackpool’s new museum, Showtown!

Image of How's Tricks? gallery with poster of Murray - Blackpool's famous Australian Escapologist in shot

Murray - Blackpool’s famous Australian Escapologist

On Escapology Day we are remembering one of Blackpool’s most famous characters, a retired Australian magician and escapologist called Murray.

Mark Raffles with Rachael

Mark Raffles: World famous pickpocket magician

Mark Raffles; the most famous pickpocket magician in the world turns 100 years old this year. Learn more about the oldest magician in the business.

Circus

Discover more about the circus community and those people of significance who have made Blackpool Tower Circus the longest running circus in the UK.

Make a face!

Join Jill, our Exhibition Coordinator, to find out more about different types of clowns and even become one yourself!

Black and white photograph of Charlie Cairoli leaning into the circus audience

All sequins and feathers

Discover more about the wonderful story of circusette, Yvonne Kean Fielding.

Yuri & Tonya Gridneff performing

The Amazing Gridneffs

Discover more about the amazing Gridneff family and their time performing in the Blackpool Tower Circus.

Charlie Cairoli performing

The inimitable Charlie: Charlie Cairoli and the Tower Circus

A look back at the life and career of Blackpool's iconic clown

Illuminations

Where did it all begin for the world famous Blackpool Illuminations?

Glow up

Blackpool Illuminations are legendary and if you haven't seen them already, it's one for your bucket list. Here's a little taster of what to expect.

A photograph of the illuminations tram which is brightly lit up to look like a train

Lighting Festivity

An article by Professor Vanessa Toulmin on the history of neon lighting in Blackpool

Black and white photograph showing the parade lined with crowds and soldiers. Blackpool Tower can be seen in the background.

UCLan Student Project - Princess Parade 110 years

History students from the University of Central Lancashire research the historic 110th Anniversary of Blackpool's first royal visit and opening of Princess Parade.

Shows

Only the best of the best performed in Blackpool. Discover more about many legendary performers who made their name in the resort.

What a pair!

Join us as we discuss legendary comedy duo, Morecambe and Wise.

A black and white photo of Morecombe and Wise doing a silly pose

Willie Barrow and The Fylde Coast Jazzmen

A funny and fascinating account of his time with the Fylde Coast Jazzmen.

Dance

Discover more about Blackpool's dance heritage and its international reputation as the dance capital of the world.

Spiritual home of ballroom

Join us on a whistle stop tour of ballroom dancing. Discovering more about how the world's most famous dancing competition came to be right here in Blackpool!

Ballroom dancers performing in front of a crowd

A group of four girls posed in a group holding parasols.

Tower Ballet Days

For many years, the children of Blackpool entertained visitors to the town by performing in a review called the Tower Children’s Ballet held in the Tower Ballroom.

More Blackpool stories

An opportunity to delve a little deeper into Blackpool. Explore some of the fascinating research articles and untold stories of our town.

The Grand Exhibition of Eastern Curiosities

Oriental bazaars, mermaids and pioneering photography come to Blackpool.

Black and white picture of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh meeting clown, Charlie Cairoli at Blackpool Opera House in 1955.

Royal visits through the years

Discover more about some of the memorable royal visits to Blackpool over the years.

Stories from the community

More fascinating stories of Blackpool, researched by our volunteers and other members of the community, that all add to the town's rich heritage.

Lucy Morton Blackpool's Olympic Gold Medallist, 1924

A biography of Blackpool's pioneering female Olympic champion.

Black and white photograph of Lucy Morton stood wearing her swimming costume, which has the word Blackpool and multiple medals sewn on the front. She is stood between a stand with a trophy on and a table with two trophies and a number of medals on. The photograph has been signed Yours Sincerely Lucy 1914.

The Imperial Hotel

A host to Royalty, Prime Ministers and celebrities, this is the history of one of Blackpool's grandest hotels

Blackpool's Belgian Colony

When Belgium was invaded by Germany in 1914, Blackpool offered a home to 2000 refugees, this is their story

‘A delicious walk by the sea’: Charles Dickens in Blackpool, April 1869

Whilst on a book tour of England, Charles Dickens takes a break for some sea air

Blackpool’s 1919 Victory Ball (and the Tommies’ Final Victory)

At the end of the Great War, Blackpool's Tommies' fight for their right to party at the Tower Ballroom

Blackpool's First Remembrance Day

As the Great War came to an end, Blackpool had to come to terms with its loss, and how to honour the dead

Blackpool's "World Champion" Footballers

Blackpool has a long and well documented history in men’s football. Less celebrated, but equally magnificent is the history of the women’s game in the town.

Blackpool Masonic Hall – a history of the building Part One

The history of one of Blackpool's many fascinating historic buildings from 1888-1940.

John Hodgson’s Belle Vue Strawberry Gardens

The story of the man behind Blackpool's first pleasure gardens

The People Behind the Winter Gardens

The story of the businessmen who helped to make one of Blackpool's historic treasures a reality

Blackpool Victoria Hospital 1894 to 1937

In an era before the NHS, this is the early history of Blackpool's first hospital.

Seaside Silver Screens: Blackpool's Cinema Heritage

Take a tour through Blackpool's many historic cinemas, from the golden age of film to the present

The Opening of Stanley Park

The construction and official opening of Blackpool's award winning public park.

My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock

The history of Blackpool's favourite sweet treat

Foudroyant: A Thrilling Spectacle

The story of how one of Blackpool's most famous shipwrecks was exploited for fun and profit

Hangar 42 Lytham St. Annes Spitfire Visitor Centre

The history of Hangar 42, a fascinating addition to Blackpool's long history with aviation

The Man Who Lived in the Tower

A look at the life and tragic death of James Walmsley, Blackpool Tower's first menagerie manager.

The Great Wheel

The 'Big Wheel', the 'Great Wheel' or the 'Jolly Wheel'; whatever name it went by Blackpool's first Ferris Wheel was an amazing feat of engineering.

Reflections on VE Day 75

On the 75th Anniversary of VE we look back on the day Blackpool celebrated the end of the conflict in Europe.

The story of ‘The Sea Serpent'

The story of the extraordinary John Parkinson, Lifeboatman, footballer and Blackpool hero

Blackpool’s War Legacy

A look at the many forms of War Memorial in Blackpool, and the efforts that have gone into recording them for posterity.

The North Pier: 150 Years and Counting

A promenade along the history of Blackpool's first pier

Blackpool Lifeboat: The Ladies and Reverend Gentlemen

The story of how Blackpool's first Lifeboat was funded by the generosity of the community.

The Golden Era of Blackpool Paddle Steamers

A look back at three pleasure steamers who ruled the waves in Blackpool

Christmas Greetings

Seasonal greetings from the trenches of the Western Front

Festive Fun of Bygone Days

Blackpool's theatres put on some seasonal glitz in the days before TV Specials

Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town

Historic sightings of the famous man in the red suit in Blackpool's department stores.