The long-awaited history centre, located on the outskirts of Durham City, is set to open this week. 

The Story at Mount Oswald, advertised as a "world-class cultural venue", will be welcoming visitors for the first time on Friday (June 14). 

(Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The opening is the culmination of years of work, turning the grade 2 listed manor house into a suitable home for miles and miles of County Durham archives. 

As well as state-of-the-art climate-controlled archive strong rooms, two separate research spaces for the public to use, a ground-floor exhibition space, and a learning studio, The Story will house County Durham's registry office. 

(Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Much of the ground floor of Mount Oswald Manor has been turned into a luxurious wedding suite - with three ceremony rooms for different-sized wedding parties. 

The elegant original manor house staircase is also in use - and has been licenced so ceremonies for small parties can take place on the stairs themselves. 

(Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The first weddings at The Story are scheduled to take place this week, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and there are already 400 couples set to tie the knot at Mount Oswald. 

The project, which has faced some setbacks and delays, is thought to be the only history and heritage venue of its kind in the country. 

(Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Exhibitions - including a permanent collection - will be put on using artefacts from the five collections at The Story; the archives; the Durham Light Infantry Collection; the births deaths and marriages records; the historical environmental records; and the local studies. 

The spick-and-span new building is still abuzz with activity as final preparations to ready the space for the public take place. 

(Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "It's really exciting for The Story to be opening and welcoming the public in this week. It's been a totally unique project. 

"The archives at County Hall were past their sell-by date, and we have a duty to protect our history for future generations.

(Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

"Everyone has worked so hard to pull this off - including moving 6 miles of archives into their new home!"

On the weekend the doors at The Story are thrown open to the public, a programme of events will take place to celebrate as follows: 

(Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

  • A chance to be among the first to see a new permanent interactive exhibition exploring the history of County Durham.
  • Opportunities to try out the state-of-the-art new ways to engage with The Story’s collections, including the online collections search with AI features. There are also audio and visual devices to help bring the exhibitions to life.
  • A chance to look around the elegant ceremony rooms now available for marriages and civil ceremonies.
  • A teddy bear’s picnic and an opportunity for children to register their teddies.