Bristol Archives

'B Bond' Warehouse, originally built as a tobacco storing warehouse, regenerated into Bristol Archives and the CREATE Centre

Bristol Archives (formerly Bristol Record Office)[1] was established in 1924. It was the first borough record office in the United Kingdom, since at that time there was only one other local authority record office (Bedfordshire) in existence. It looks after the official archives of the City of Bristol, besides collecting and preserving many other records relating to the city and surrounding area for current and future generations to consult.

The Archives moved from the City Hall to newly converted premises in the former B Bond Warehouse in 1992.[2] The office is formally recognised by the Lord Chancellor for holding public records, and it acts as a diocesan record office for the Diocese of Bristol.

Major deposited collections include those of J. S. Fry & Sons, chocolate manufacturers, 1693–1966, and Imperial Brands (formerly W.D. & H.O. Wills, tobacco manufacturers), late 18th century – 20th century.[3] However, for many years one of its best-known holdings was a single volume of judicial case papers bound in the actual skin of the 19th-century executed murderer John Horwood.[4]

Bristol Archives is part of Bristol Museums, along with Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, M Shed, Georgian House, Red Lodge, Blaise Castle, and Kings Weston Roman Villa.[5] The core opening hours are Tuesday - Friday, 9:30am-4pm. In addition, on the first two Saturdays of the month, Bristol Archives is open 10am-4pm.[6]

Bristol Archives holds material related to the port of Bristol from the 13th century onwards.[7] Further records are held by the Institution of Civil Engineers.[8]

  1. ^ "Bristol Archives: A new name for Bristol Record Office". Bristol Archives. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  2. ^ Mellor, Penny (2013). Inside Bristol: Twenty Years of Open Doors Day. Redcliffe Press. pp. 28–29. ISBN 978-1908326423.
  3. ^ Foster, Janet; Sheppard, Julia (1995). British archives: a guide to archive resources in the United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-333-53255-3.
  4. ^ BBC News item relating to Horwood's long-delayed burial [1], retrieved 22 December 2011
  5. ^ "Bristol Bristol Museums". Bristol Council. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Bristol Archives opening hours". Bristol Council. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Selected Maritime Records: source guide, Bristol Archives" (PDF). Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  8. ^ "National Archives Discovery Catalogue page, Institution of Civil Engineers". Retrieved 18 April 2016.