Welcome to Hidden Histories!!
This exciting new heritage trail launched in Central Southampton on 14th March 2008. It uncovers the treasures of Southampton's Oral History Archive through a revolutionary new concept of Street Radio.
Some of our listening stations are currently experiencing some problems due to the weather that we have been experiencing in Southampton over the last few weeks. We hope to have the trail up and running again as soon as possible. In the meantime there are still over half of the nodes working as they should be so still plenty to listen to!!
You can also now listen to an extract of the audio pieces from each node online by visiting our Listen Online page. Follow this link or choose the link in the main menu on the left.
Hidden Histories makes accessible some of the highs and lows of Southampton's 20th Century history, the glory of great ships and journeys as well as the disasters and long forgotten tales.
Street Radio is a totally new way of experiencing the city. The system utilises wireless communication technologies such as WIFI and Bluetooth in combination with FM radio to create captive ‘puddles’ where particular stories and themes can be heard. By broadcasting using very weak radio transmitters a selection of stories from the Oral History Unit can be heard along 10 nodal points (locations) from where byte-sized stories are transmitted. These nodes link together to form a media rich walk that transports people through the changing life of the city.
Radio units, headphones and the Hidden Histories guides are now available from the Southampton Tourist Information Centre. You can find the TIC on the trail map.
Click on the link below to view the Hidden Histories trail map and guide to the nodes!
Trail Map and Guide
Hidden Histories is very easy to use. Follow this simple guide to get yourself started:
Step 1 - Get yourself an analogue radio that receives FM and some headphones
(Handy Hint: this could be a mobile phone)
Step 2 - Look at the map to find your nearest listening station and travel towards it
Step 3 - Look for the Hidden Histories symbol on a nearby lamp post and stand within 10 metres of it
Step 4 - Turn the radio on and tune it to 89.0 MHz FM or there abouts. If you are standing close enough to the lamp post you should start to hear voices over the radio
Step 5 - Listen for as long as you like. The pieces should last no longer than 12-15 mins. When you are done, move onto the next listening station!
Tell us what you think:
Hidden Histories has been developed as a ‘pilot’ scheme to test how this type of technology works and to see how you feel about using it. To be able to find out how you feel about it we need your feedback. Once you have completed some or all of the trail please come back and visit our website www.hiddenhistories.org.uk to leave us a message. You can also fill out a feedback form at the Tourist Information Centre.
We hope you enjoy it!