Popularity of new history centre amongst county’s archives service successes

High visitor numbers, thousands of volunteer hours given, well-attended events and strong customer satisfaction at the new Staffordshire History Centre are amongst the successes of the county’s Archives and Heritage service this year.

The new £8.7 million Staffordshire History Centre project, which opened to the public in November 2024, has seen over 10,000 visits. This jewel in the crown of the archives service was made possible through a grant of £4.8 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Notable successes include being awarded accredited museum status shortly after opening, having shown excellent diligence in managing its exhibits and providing exceptional customer service.  A series of popular exhibitions and events have helped boost visitor numbers beyond what was expected, including the Vicious Victorians family fun day which attracted more than 200 people, including local families.

The centre saw more than 440 visitors to the research rooms and over 30,000 online catalogue visitor sessions across the service during the last financial year.  Also being praised are the 80+ volunteers working across the entire archives service, contributing 4,500 hours last year worth over £90,000.

Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said:

“Our Archives and Heritage service provides a vital role in promoting our fascinating past while protecting thousands of precious objects and documents.

“Having visited the centre many times now, I continue to be amazed with what’s on offer.  It’s also thrilling to see so many visitors and such positive feedback.

“These achievements reflect the hard work of all our staff and volunteers and show just how much the centre means to local people and visitors alike. Through its fantastic work and well-attended events, the centre is already proving to be a real asset for our county’s heritage and culture.”

The new Staffordshire History Centre project has also helped preserve the much-loved William Salt Library, which is an integral part of the new centre.

Mithra Tonking, Chair of the William Salt Library, said:

“Thanks to this remarkable project, the William Salt Library has been given a new lease of life and its existence secured for many years to come.

“It means the library can continue to provide visitors and students of local history with access to our amazing collections and resources, and to an historic town centre building.”

The Archives Service’s annual report goes to the county council’s Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 25 September.

The new history centre can be found on Eastgate Street in Stafford, where it is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am until 4pm.  More information can be found at www.staffordshirehistory.org.uk.