New Herstories Digital Resource Celebrates the Women of Merthyr Tydfil

A new digital learning resource celebrating the lives and achievements of women connected to Merthyr Tydfil has officially launched.

Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council's Libraries and Museum Service, Herstories is an innovative project that explores and shares the stories of women who have played an important role in shaping the county borough's history, culture and communities.

Funded by the Welsh Government, the project seeks to address gaps in traditional historical narratives by highlighting stories that have often been overlooked or underrepresented.

Project Manager Annabelle Dennis spoke at the launch event, reflecting on the importance of the initiative:

"The history of Merthyr Tydfil is often told through its industrialists and ironmasters. Those stories are important, but they are not the whole story. Behind the industries that made Merthyr famous were women who shaped our communities, yet their experiences have often been overlooked.”

“Herstories celebrates the lives, experiences and contributions of women connected to Merthyr Tydfil, bringing those stories to new audiences through historical research, creative storytelling and digital technology, and quite literally putting women's names back on the map."

The project showcases a strong partnership between the Council's Libraries and Museum Service, combining museum collections, local history expertise, digital technology and community engagement to create an accessible and engaging learning experience.

A key feature of Herstories is Into Her World, an immersive digital experience inspired by three paintings of local women held at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum. Visitors are encouraged to explore the stories, experiences and identities behind the artwork, offering a deeper understanding of local history.

Councillor Gareth Lewis, Cabinet Member for Education, Culture and the Welsh Language, said:

"Herstories is a wonderful celebration of the women who have helped shape Merthyr Tydfil's history and communities. By combining heritage, education and digital innovation, this project ensures these important stories are preserved, shared and enjoyed by future generations."

Speaking about the achievement, Annabelle added:

"I hope Herstories demonstrates what can be achieved when we share our knowledge and expertise across our services. Although today marks the launch of Herstories, it is also just the beginning. We have laid the foundations for something that will continue to grow, evolve and uncover more of the remarkable women who have shaped Merthyr Tydfil."

The project was delivered in partnership with CEMET and Immersive Interactive, supported by local communities, researchers and Council staff whose contributions helped bring the stories to life.

The launch also celebrated the work of pupils from Ysgol y Graig Primary School, who have created a new historical trail in the area surrounding their school. Through a series of interpretation boards and QR codes, visitors can discover stories of significant local people and events. Similar projects will now be developed with other schools to help connect residents and visitors with the rich heritage of the county borough.

For further information about Herstories and Into Her World, please contact Merthyr Tydfil Libraries and Museum Service and see the following link Hanes-Hi | Her-Stories