Letchworth families have been discovering the heritage of their early garden city homes.

The Comet: One Garden City museum opened in Letchworth town centre in June this year. Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage FoundationOne Garden City museum opened in Letchworth town centre in June this year. Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (Image: Archant)

More than 100 people attended a Hidden Histories event at One Garden City's museum, uncovering remarkable stories of men and women who helped shape the town.

Visitors were able to find out who lived in their home, and discover what life was like for the early inhabitants of Letchworth.

The Comet: As the world's first Garden City, Letchworth attracts major interest from across the globe. Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage FoundationAs the world's first Garden City, Letchworth attracts major interest from across the globe. Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (Image: Archant)

Eager historians used a range of resources to make their discoveries, including the Garden City Collection, which houses more than 250,000 historical objects and artefacts.

Some were even able to sneak a peak at the early architectural plans of Letchworth, the world's first garden city.

The Comet: Pixmore Way workers housing (1966). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage FoundationPixmore Way workers housing (1966). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (Image: Archant)

Vicky Axell - from Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, organisers of the day - said: "We wanted to give people living in Letchworth the opportunity to discover the stories of their early garden city homes and understand their importance.

"Everyone has enjoyed developing an enhanced sense of civic pride in the town. Visitors have come away with a strengthened sense of Letchworth's heritage and the importance of preserving this."

The Comet: Messrs Simmons sales brochure for 229 Glebe Road. By instructions of F G Cooke Esq. Price £1600. (1950s). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage FoundationMessrs Simmons sales brochure for 229 Glebe Road. By instructions of F G Cooke Esq. Price £1600. (1950s). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (Image: Archant)

She added: "The project has given an alternative insight into the history of Letchworth Garden City and complements the fascinating stories of the great movers and shakers of the town."

At the end of the day, participants were given a blue vinyl commemorative plaque to display in the window of their own home as a record of the project.

The Comet: Sepia tint postcard of Eastholm (1920s). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage FoundationSepia tint postcard of Eastholm (1920s). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (Image: Archant)

In one of the more exciting discoveries of the day, Letchworth resident Hilary Kemp learnt that renowned local photographer R. J. Salter, once occupied her house.

"Finding out there was an artist living in our house at the time of the 1911 census and that he was a photographer, was exciting," she said.

The Comet: Black and white postcard of North Avenue, Letchworth (1920s). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation.Black and white postcard of North Avenue, Letchworth (1920s). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation. (Image: Archant)

"To then discover that it wasn't just any photographer, but R. J. Salter, and that he captured many of the early portraits of the garden city pioneers, feels very special.

"To have a significant person living in the place that we call home and to have his photographs still visible in the garden city archives, somehow brings history alive."

The Comet: Black and white postcard of 8 Westholm (1950s). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage FoundationBlack and white postcard of 8 Westholm (1950s). Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (Image: Archant)

The event at One Garden City was funded by Share Museums East, a programme which supports cooperative working in museums in the East of England.

To discover more of Letchworth's history, the International Garden Cities Institute and International Garden Cities Exhibition are based in Letchworth's Norton Way South at the former Parker and Unwin building.

The Comet: Photograph of a woman taken by R.J. Salter. Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage FoundationPhotograph of a woman taken by R.J. Salter. Picture: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (Image: Archant)

Both are open to the public Fridays and Saturdays by appointment.