heritage for the future: from the lunar society to aston university
Join us to unlock the secrets of the Aston University Archives.
Visitors will be welcomed to the Aston University campus with a bespoke exhibition of artefacts from the Aston University Archives (AUA), linking the institution’s history as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School (1895) with the Lunar Society and the city’s heritage at the heart of the industrial revolution.
A roundtable connecting past and present will follow, featuring Aston University’s Senior Lecturer in Modern History and Director of the Aston University Archives Centre (AUAC) Dr Ilaria Scaglia, AUA Archivist James Platt, and Honorary Secretary of the Lunar Society David Searle.
After an open Q&A session, guests will be offered a guided tour of Aston University’s iconic Main Building, including recent installations of a set of Bronze Doors by the prestigious firm H.H. Martyn & Co., Cheltenham, depicting key trades such as chemistry and draughtsmanship, and a set of Aluminium Panels celebrating metallurgy donated by the Aluminium Federation in 1964.
An accompanying digital exhibition will showcase images of a bureau that belonged to original Lunar Society member James Watt, and other objects connected to this landmark figure.
NEED TO KNOW INFO
Thursday 17 September 2026
1500-1700
Aston University, Susan Cadbury Lecture Theatre, Conference Aston, Birmingham, B4 7ET
WHAT TO EXPECT
Networking enjoy networking with other guests
Learning View a bespoke exhibition of artefacts from the Aston University Archives (AUA), linking the institution’s history as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School (1895) with the Lunar Society and the city’s heritage at the heart of the industrial revolution.
Q&A a chance to ask questions from the roundtable panel.
TICKET PRICES
Free