Arch-Wonderment’ from the ’70 Years Behind The Lens’ exhibition by Ray Wallace Thompson.

A vessel in some distress on the river at Stockton. An unusual occurrence, it could be because the cargo wasn’t trimmed properly, there wasn’t enough ballast or the vessel may have been holed.

Susy’ from the ’70 Years Behind The Lens’ exhibition by local artist Ray Wallace Thompson.

Norton Mill c1913. A watermill at Norton was recorded in 1183, although the mill in this picture was built in the 18th Century. Despite industrialisation in Stockton in the 19th Century there was still a large agricultural workforce and there had been at least 30 corn mills in the area.

Northumbrian Folk and Allison Sinclair dancers at Preston Hall. c1988

Craig, Taylor & Coals Shipyard. Shipbuilding caused Stockton to expand rapidly in the 1859s and 60s 1850 towns population grew by 250% due to the opening of the new iron shipyards on the north and south side of the river tees. The new technology associated with iron shipbuilding and its associated industries was to be a major cause of Stockton becoming an important industrial centre. The shipyards in Stockton changed hands many times. By the 1920s, when shipbuilding finally ceased, there were only 3 large sites left.; Ropners on the North bank, Richardson Duck and Co. and Craig Taylor and Co. on the South bank of the Tees.

Blea Tarn’ from the ’70 Years Behind The Lens’ exhibition by local artist Ray Wallace Thompson.

Betsy at Smiths Dock, now at Preston Hall Museum.

Disconcern’ from the ’70 Years Behind The Lens’ exhibition by local artist Ray Wallace Thompson.

Borders Leithen Water’ from the ’70 Years Behind The Lens’ exhibition by local artist Ray Wallace Thompson.

Workers at J.F.Smith & Co.’s Nebo Confectionary Works, which was operated from 1920 until 1972 in the building that had been the Georgian Theatre. This museum building was actually the warehouse that stored the sweets and chocolates from the Nebo’s works.

Junior Girls Bowesfield Class No 3.The girls, dressed in their good clothes, all wear the typical Victorian style side-buttoned ankle boots or shoes, and with ribbons tied in their hair. The sailor suit influence, as seen in some of the dresses, was popular for both boys and girls at this time.

Middlesbrough Transporter’ from the ’70 Years Behind The Lens’ exhibition by local artist Ray Wallace Thompson.

This is a photograph of the interior of the Castle Theatre showing the theatre’s elaborate design work. In 1970 the Swallow Hotel was built where this theatre had stood.