Women's History

Women's immense contribution to society has often been made invisible by a historic lack of social status and confinement to the home. The social, political and architectural history imprinted in the buildings around us has, in previous centuries, largely been recorded as the story of man.

However, women's achievements and experience have left a deep impression on the historic environment. Once exposed, this can help to fill in the gaps left by previous generations' recording of history to reveal a host of fascinating and inspirational stories.

Visible in Stone

Women's History through Buildings 1850-1950 - partnership project between English Heritage, The Women's Library and the TUC Library Collection at LMU.
Maritime Women

Among the 37,000 shipwrecks recorded around the coast are stories showing female involvement in wreck events, a rich seam of social history.
Lady Anne Clifford's story

The fascinating story of Anne Clifford is known through her diaries and can be told through several historic places.
The Struggle for Suffrage

The struggle for women's suffrage was a campaign which began in the drawing rooms of London and Manchester in the mid 19th century.
Women and Healthcare

These pages are an introduction to some remarkable buildings which illuminate the roles of women in healthcare.
Nuns and Convent Building

The Catholic Relief Act of 1829 lifted an injunction on convents in place since the reformation and set the stage for a boom in convent building.
Women in the Luton Hatting and Plaiting Industries

A look at the importance of female labour within the Luton hatting industry.
Buildings that Celebrate Working Women

Listed buildings tell us the story of working women at the forefront of a fascinating period of social and technological change.
Women Celebrated by Registered Parks and Gardens

Determined women have seized the opportunity provided by gardens to assert their independence and to create living, lasting monuments.
Links and Articles

Find out more about women’s history and the built environment with the resources in this section.
Carry Out Your Own Research: How to Search Databases

Find out more about Women's History or about buildings or places linked to women by searching the Historic England Archive.
Glossary

Definition of terms used throughout Women's History section.