Conservation Photographs

Archaeological and Historic Buildings Photographic Survey (C/P/65)

This survey is a useful visual source of evidence for local buildings of historical significance, a number of which have since been altered or demolished. In some cases, they may be the only photographic evidence of buildings or sites now vanished.

Forming part of the Planning and Development section of the Staffordshire County Council collection held at Staffordshire Record Office, the survey comprises a series of black and white photographs taken between the 1960s and the 1990s. They show buildings, complexes and street scenes of historical interest, some of which were becoming derelict or due for demolition. A number of images focus on particular architectural features, such as fire-places or roof beams, or record incidental details, such as adjacent properties or gardens. Streets scenes may record long-vanished businesses or street features, such as bus stops and telephone boxes.

The images are arranged by post-1974 District Council, then by civil parish. Some are copyright of the Historic Environment Record of Staffordshire County Council, whilst others are copyright of the National Monuments Record in Swindon. Permission must be sought from these bodies if the images are intended for any use other than personal research.

There is no paper catalogue for the C/P/65 collection, but a search can be made using the Archive Service’s online catalogue, Gateway to the Past (available online and in the Reading Rooms). Under the Detailed Archive Search option, select the Doc Ref No box and type in C/P/65, then select the Any Text box and type in the name of the parish you are looking for. Click on the Search button and a list of results will be displayed. You can click on the blue numbers in the left-hand column to open up further details about each photograph. The collection is kept in special cold storage conditions and images require a 24-hour notice period for production.  It is worth noting that the survey does not cover every building in a street or parish, so you may not be able to locate an image if you are looking for a particular site or structure.