Ramsgate Tunnels to host local history day

Victorian Ramsgate (from the British Library) originally part of a book entitled ‘All about Ramsgate and Broadstairs’ published in 1870.

By Isaac Naylor

The Ramsgate Tunnels will be hosting a local history day as part of the Historical Association’s Local and Community History Month.

The event will take place on Saturday 20th May, between 10am – 4:30pm.

Helping to showcase and celebrate Thanet’s rich, vibrant, and exciting history, the free event will involve heritage organisations and museums from across the Isle engaging with the public and highlighting various aspects of Thanet’s interesting past.

Margate Harbour (from the US Library of Congress’ Collection) from the Detroit Publishing Company’s ‘Views of the British Isles’ dated c.1900.

Several organisations, including the Ramsgate RNLI, Powell-Cotton Museum, Ramsgate Tunnels and others, will be giving short talks covering a broad range of local history topics. One of the talks will provide advice and guidance to those who fancy ‘having a go’ at undertaking their own local history study and becoming local or ‘citizen’ historians in their own right.

Deep Tunnel Shelter Tours will run as normal at the Tunnels throughout the day, providing an opportunity to explore Ramsgate’s Second World War history first hand, finding out how the town’s eccentric mayor, and tenacious and talented borough surveyor were able to orchestrate the construction of the country’s largest purpose-built air raid shelter.

The Tunnel’s café will also be open, providing refreshments, alongside light bites, and delicious cake.

For further information, to book tours on the day, or to see which organisations are attending, visit www.ramsgatetunnels.org