Image
A Second World War scene showing the front of a building with a Routemaster-style bus parked outside. The bus is marked “Mobile First Aid Post” and is surrounded by stacked sandbags. Nearby signs read “Clearing Station” and “Air Raid Shelter,” indicating its use as an emergency medical point during the war.
West Yorkshire Archive Service, Leeds
Fri 24 Jul 2026
Change and challenge: Leeds in the 1900s
Exhibition
Heritage
Leeds 400

From the horse and cart to the dawn of the internet, the 1900s was a century of enormous change across the world, and for the people of Leeds this was no different.

The 1900s were a transformative period of modernisation across the city; the creation of the Leeds Ring Road, the first commercial flights from Leeds Bradford Airport, clearance schemes, the creation of new housing estates such as Quarry Hill, the growth of suburbs and towns, women got the vote and, in 1945, Leeds got their first female MP, Alice Bacon.

However, the 1900s was not always smooth sailing for Leeds. Like the rest of the country, the people of Leeds saw two world wars, several local disasters, and some local companies were struggling to compete amongst ever-growing global industries.

Join us on Friday 24th July to learn more about Leeds during the 1900s. Accompanied children welcome.

    Date
    Fri 24 Jul 2026
    10:00 - 16:00

    Ticket price

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