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Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm Friday 9:30am - 5pm

Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

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Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

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WSHC is home to 800 years of history and 8 miles of archives: discover Wiltshire's history!

03/11/2026

Note there is no Treasures from History session this Saturday 7 November but keep an eye on our event updates for when the sessions resume!

26/10/2026

Please note we have the below planned closures of the History Centre during November and December:

Friday 27 November - CLOSED for essential building work

Monday 14 - Friday 18 December - CLOSED for annual stock work

Friday 25 December - CLOSED
Friday 1 January - CLOSED
Saturday 2 January - CLOSED

Our usual opening times are 9.30am-5pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and the first Saturday of each month. We will be open Saturday 9 January in lieu of Saturday 2 January.

10/10/2026

Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change: this World Mental Health Day, we're reflecting on how archives can help us better understand the history of mental health care and the experiences of those who lived through it.

Recently Sophie, our archive conservator, had the opportunity to conserve an admission register from the Old Manor Hospital in Salisbury. These records form an important part of our collections, helping to preserve the stories of individuals who experienced mental health challenges in the past.

The records reveal how mental health care has changed over time and provide valuable opportunities for research, family history, and a greater understanding of lived experiences throughout Wiltshire's history.

You can read more about the conservation of the register here: https://wshc.org.uk/saving-the-stories-of-the-silent/ The image shows a before and after conservation work to stabilise the damaged pages.

And read a blog providing an overview of early mental health care in Wiltshire: https://wshc.org.uk/early-mental-health-care/

Many historic records are available to researchers once they are outside the 100-year closure period. To find out more about visiting the archives, see: https://wshc.org.uk/visiting-the-history-centre/

05/10/2026

The Portable Antiquities Scheme is run by the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. Every year many thousands of archaeological objects are discovered, many of these by metal detectorists, but also by people whilst out walking, gardening etc.

Wiltshire's Finds Liaison Officer, Sophie Hawke, shares some amazing finds in our latest blog, including this pictured Early Medieval gold and garnet finger ring (Image courtesy of PAS)

https://wshc.org.uk/portable-antiquities-scheme-in-wiltshire/

If you haven’t yet tried it, the new PAS database (https://finds.org.uk) is now up and running too!

30/09/2026

Wiltshire, we need you! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We’re supporting Swindon & Wiltshire Pride to discover and document Wiltshire’s LGBTQIA+ social history… the everyday stories that shaped the LGBTQIA+ community. Big moments, small moments, anything that deserves to be remembered.

You can share your story (anonymously if you prefer) here:
https://www.swindonwiltshirepride.org.uk/pride-history-project
or email
[email protected]
Further details via the weblink. Please share far and wide!

30/09/2026

Please note the History Centre will be closed on the following date:

Friday 27th November

Apologies for any inconvenience. See our website https://wshc.org.uk/visiting-the-history-centre/ for information about planning a visit to us or contact us on [email protected]

30/09/2026

We had a lovely event recently with social historian and author Dr Kate Werran (Insta ) in conversation with her dad!

Kate is the author of An American Uprising in Second World War England: Mutiny in the Duchy (2020) and Black Yanks: Defending Leroy Henry in D-Day Britain (2024).

Thanks very much to Kate (and her dad). Hope all who came enjoyed themselves!

30/09/2026

Exciting news! You can now press play on the Sounds of the South West project website to listen to digitised audio recordings from archives across the South West: https://soundsofthesouthwest.org.uk/

Thanks to the The National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding the project and making it possible!

28/09/2026

We have been delighted to work with the New Folkestone Society on their project to conserve and digitise ‘A Book of Mapps of The Estate of the Hon[oura]ble Jacob Desbouvery Esq Lyong In the East Part of Kent’. (ref 1946/2/3E/1) held in the archive collection of the Earls of Radnor at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre. The project received a grant from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust.

The project website where you can browse a digital edition of the book of maps is now live https://www.folkestonemaps.org.uk/

Find out more about the inspiration behind this project in a guest blog from a trustee of the New Folkestone Society: https://wshc.org.uk/folkestone-maps-a-tale-of-curiosity/

28/09/2026

Did you know that the perfect Queen Anne building featured in the opening credits of The Antiques Roadshow is none other than the grade II* Zealy’s House in St Mary Street, Chippenham? Find out fascinating details about Wiltshire towns and their buildings in the Wiltshire Buildings Record annual study day on Saturday 3rd October 10.30-16.15 at the Bromham Community Hub. Tickets are £27 for non-members Contact 01249 705508 or [email protected] to book your place!

https://wshc.org.uk/wiltshire-towns-and-their-buildings/

Address

Cocklebury Road
Chippenham
SN153QN

Opening Hours

Tuesday	9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5pm
Friday	9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441249705500

Website

http://www.wshc.org.uk/

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