Historian Ruth Goodman speaks at opening of the new Staffordshire History Centre

Historian and TV presenter Ruth Goodman joined members of staff, funders and visitors to celebrate the official opening of Staffordshire’s new heritage attraction.

The new £8.7 million Staffordshire History Centre, which opened to the public on 6 November, has already welcomed over 1,000 visitors.  The heritage project has been delivered by Staffordshire County Council and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with a grant of £4,858,699.

Located on Eastgate Street in Stafford, the new centre includes modern search and learning rooms, strong rooms capable of holding up to a further 50 years of archives and a bright exhibition space for displays and temporary exhibitions.

Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said: “It’s great to have Ruth to help us officially open the new centre.

 “We’re all incredibly excited about the project and getting more people interested in our history and heritage.  The feedback from visitors, teachers and local residents has been fantastic, with lots of positive comments.

“Visitors have been enjoying the wide range of facilities, from the engaging exhibitions and fascinating stories to the behind-the-scenes heritage research and learning rooms.  We’re grateful to everyone who supported the project including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, who provided most of the funding.  I’d definitely urge people to come and see it for themselves.”

During the opening event, Ruth Goodman spoke about the importance of making historic collections accessible and the importance of learning from history.

At the event, guests got the chance to explore the centre and collections on display, including one of the oldest documents, the will of Wulfric Spot, a cap belonging to King Charles I and a historic Phaeton carriage.

Julian Glover, Trustee and Chair of the England, Midlands & East Committee at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are thrilled that the new Staffordshire History Centre has opened after a £4.8million investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Thanks to National Lottery players, state of the art archive and collection facilities will ensure that communities and visitors of all ages can delve deep into Staffordshire’s fascinating past.”

The adjacent restored William Salt Library building, part of the new centre, showcases the history of the library building itself, which has been cherished by local residents for decades.

Not just a place of historical collections, the new centre also features a remodelled research room, perfect for local historians, genealogists, and academics to delve deep into Staffordshire’s past.  Bookings are now open for researchers who wish to consult original documents.

The new education and learning space will host a range of school programmes, workshops, and events designed for all ages.  During December, there will be a range of activities for visitors to join in with, including spotlight talks and family friendly crafts.

In addition to the grant from the Heritage Fund, the project has also been supported by Stafford Borough Council (through UK Shared Prosperity funding), The Wolfson Foundation, The Trustees of WSL, Friends of Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Archive Service, and Friends of the William Salt Library.

Further details along with opening times and activities are available on the Staffordshire History Centre website.