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From Walk in Safes to Nuclear Bunkers....

Posted by: Blog Administrator on Feb 15, 2011

Tagged in: Wiltshire Council , West Wiltshire District Council , Walk-in safe , urban design , unitary , underground , town houses , Tidworth , strong rooms , Station Road , stairs , Sewer , search room , Salisbury District Council , role , railway , public , Planning applications , pipes , Pewsey , Pelham Puppets , Parish of Chippenham , paper , owner , Old Sarum Flying Club , nuclear bunker , North Wiltshire District Council , Minute books , Marlborough , maps , Malmesbury , locating , Little Somerford , legal , Kennet District Council , History Centre , History , historical value , historic building , generations , Future , files , ditches , District Councils , Devizes , deeds , data protection , county , contract , conservation statements , collecting , Chippenham Borough Lands Charity , Chippenham , catalogue , campaigns , Bowling Alley , Ashton Keynes , Archives

A year into my one and a half year contract I am responsible for locating and collecting the files and papers produced by the District Councils. Spanning a period from 1974 to 2009 this means some of the files are 35 years old. Unsure what to expect, it has and continues to be a very rewarding role meeting lots of people in a great many roles and locations, who are all passionate about preserving the history of the county.

 North Wiltshire District Council Minute Books

                                                                     North Wiltshire District Council Minute Books

Why start collecting now?




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ARCHIVAL HERITAGE GIVEN A BOOST

Posted by: Blog Administrator on Jan 7, 2011

Tagged in: £22 , worldwide , Wiltshire and Swindon Archives , value , unique , UK , U.S. President , treasure trove , Thomas Cromwell , the Wolfson Foundation , the Pilgrim Trust , the Monument Trust , the Mercers Company Charitable Foundation , the Goldsmiths Company , the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation , the Foyle Foundation , retirement , researching , Queen Elizabeth I , public , Principal Archivist , Prince Edward , panel , on-line , National Cataloguing Grants programme , National Archives , local history , letters , Kew , Kent , Jane Seymour , J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust , Horatio Nelson , Heritage , Heritage , Henry VIII , grant , George Washington , family history , expert , Edward VI , Earls of Radnor , dissolution of the monasteries , collections , claire.skinner@wiltshire.gov.uk , Claire Skinner , catalogue , Berkshire , ARCHIVAL , April 2011-March 2012 , 16th century

Wiltshire and Swindon Archives has been successful in securing a grant of £22,700 to help open up the historic archives of the Earls of Radnor, including unique letters by George Washington, Horatio Nelson and Queen Elizabeth I.

Writing to Lord Radnor in 1797, former U.S. President Washington was looking forward to retirement: “I am now placed in the shade of my vine and fig tree; and at the age of sixty five, am recommencing my agricultural & rural pursuits; which were always more congenial to my temper and disposition than the noise & bustle of public employment; notwithstanding so small a portion of my life has been engaged in the former.”


 Letter from George Washington, 1797



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A day in the life of an archivist…

Posted by: Blog Administrator on Nov 3, 2009

Tagged in: Work Experience , Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. , volunteers , village , variety , unlock , treasure-hunting , townswomen’s guild have , telephone rings , team meeting , strong room , search room , research , public , profession , procedures , Principal Archivist , postal strike , post , photographs , past , paperwork , owner , mould-infected , local studies , local school , local hospital , local history , living records , legal case , late 19th and early 20th centuries , laptop , jigsaw puzzle , information , immediate action , heritage field , guest speaker , glimpse , front door , file , fictional , fascination , eager , e-mails , duties , drying room , donation , day in the life , database , data projector , Council staff , computer , community centre , collection , Claire Skinner , challenge , catalogue , Archivist , archives conservators , Archives , archive service , afternoon meeting , accessioning , A-level history

No day is ever exactly like another for archivists, which is one of the reasons I went into the profession. It offers variety, challenge and a fascination for anyone interested in the past. The day below is a fictional one, a composite of many days in my life and those of my colleagues, designed to give a brief glimpse of just some of our many duties.


 
The Principal Archivist, Claire Skinner at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Open Day, 2007


Today begins with our monthly team meeting – an opportunity for staff in both archives and local studies to talk about the operation of the search room and see if we can improve our procedures. Following this I unlock the front door at the usual time of 9.30 am and let in the people already waiting patiently outside, obviously eager to come in and begin or continue their research! 'Read more' to find out what else the day brings......
 





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