Archives and Collections Committee

HMS Archives, Collections, and Library

Archives

The HMS archive contains the records of the Society itself and other documents of historical interest and includes collections of papers bequeathed to HMS.  An inventory of most of the papers is available and we are working towards completing a catalogue.  A copy of the inventory published so far is available. 

The Tylecote papers comprise a substantial body of notes and other written material amassed by Ronnie Tylecote. The papers have been catalogued by topic and the catalogue is available.

Collections

Dr Aurélie Cuenod at the RLAHA produced the original online catalogue, complete with scans of Tylecote’s notebooks. A new version of this database is here. 

Tylecote’s slag collection is owned and administered by HMS, but is currently housed adjacent to the National Slag Collection. The images of the slags are in the HMS Databases.

The National Slag Collection, which is the property of the IGMT, was formed from several collections (including those of founding members of the HMS); it is stored at Ironbridge. The procedure and assessment criteria for receiving new acquisitions into the NSC can be found here.

Library

The HMS Library consists of books, pamphlets and leaflets that have been donated to the Society.  Selection from donations is mainly on the principle of retaining material which is otherwise difficult to access.  The  Library Catalogue can be found here.

Administration of the Archives, Collections, and Library

The Archives and Collections Committee (ACC) was set up to facilitate the management the various HMS archives and collections. There is a Memorandum of Agreement between the HMS and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) where the archives and collections are housed. Follow the link below for further information.

It is the intention of the HMS and the ACC that collections should, as far as practicable, be maintained to the level required by the Spectrum Standard.  A long-term Collections Management Plan is in place to achieve this goal.

Work is ongoing on the archives and collections. Members interested in joining the committee or attending a “Study Day” working party should contact ACC Chair ([email protected]).