The Parliamentary Archives has organised or contributed to several exhibitions for the general public in recent years.
Abolition of British slave trade exhibition
In May 2007, the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade was marked with a major exhibition in Westminster Hall. During the slave trade exhibition, the Original Act of 1807 and petitions for and against the slave trade from Manchester in 1806 were displayed.
Acts of Union exhibition
An exhibition was also mounted in the Royal Gallery between June and August 2007 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the union of the Parliaments of England and Scotland. The exhibition featured both Acts of Union passed by the respective Parliaments, the copies of which were brought together for the first time since they were signed.
Gunpowder Plot exhibition
In 2005, an exhibition was held in Westminster Hall to mark the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. Among the manuscripts displayed were the Journal of the House of Commons for 5 November 1605 which recorded the discovery of the plot, and the Act of 1606 which established 5 of November as a day of thanksgiving.
Connecting with Communities
The Archives is now working jointly with Parliamentary Outreach on the Connecting with Communities project to 2013.