Archives Revealed awards new cataloguing grants and first-ever consortium grant

Archives Revealed, a partnership programme between The National Archives, the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, has recently announced the recipients of its latest round of grants. A total of 12 cataloguing grants and its first ever consortium grant have been awarded to archives across the UK, helping to unlock collections and build the skills needed to care for them.

The aim of Archives Revealed is to support archives in the UK to catalogue their collections and make them more accessible to the public. This is achieved through providing funding for cataloguing projects, as well as offering training and support to archivists and volunteers.

The 12 cataloguing grants, each worth up to £40,000, will enable archives to catalogue their collections and make them available for research and discovery. This will not only benefit researchers and historians, but also the wider public who are interested in exploring their local history and heritage.

One of the recipients of the cataloguing grants is the Norfolk Record Office, which will use the funding to catalogue the archives of the Great Hospital in Norwich. This collection contains over 800 years of history, including records of the hospital’s charitable work and the lives of the people who lived and worked there. Thanks to the grant, this valuable collection will now be fully catalogued and accessible to the public.

Another grant recipient, the National Jazz Archive, will use the funding to catalogue its collection of over 20,000 items related to jazz music in the UK. This will not only make the collection more accessible to researchers, but also help to preserve this important part of British cultural heritage.

In addition to the cataloguing grants, Archives Revealed has also awarded its first ever consortium grant to the Scottish Council on Archives. This grant, worth £120,000, will support a consortium of 10 archives across Scotland to work together on a project to catalogue and digitise their collections. This will not only make the collections more accessible, but also help to build a network of collaboration and knowledge sharing among the participating archives.

The success of Archives Revealed is a testament to the importance of preserving and making accessible our nation’s rich history and heritage. The programme has already supported over 50 archives across the UK, and with the latest round of grants, even more collections will be unlocked and made available for future generations.

The National Archives, one of the partners of Archives Revealed, is delighted with the impact the programme has had so far. Jeff James, Chief Executive and Keeper of The National Archives, said, “We are thrilled to see the continued success of Archives Revealed in supporting archives across the UK. These grants will not only help to unlock important collections, but also build the skills and capacity needed to care for them.”

The Pilgrim Trust, another partner of Archives Revealed, also expressed their enthusiasm for the programme. Georgina Nayler, Director of The Pilgrim Trust, said, “We are proud to be a part of this partnership and to support the vital work of cataloguing and preserving our nation’s archives. These grants will make a significant impact in making these collections more accessible and engaging for the public.”

The Wolfson Foundation, a long-standing supporter of archives and heritage projects, also commended the work of Archives Revealed. Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said, “We are delighted to see the impact of Archives Revealed in unlocking collections and building the skills of archivists. This programme is a great example of collaboration and partnership in the heritage sector.”

The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the final partner of Archives Revealed, also shared their excitement for the latest round of grants. Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said, “We are proud to support Archives Revealed and its important work in preserving and sharing our nation’s heritage. These grants will help to uncover hidden stories and bring them to life for the public to explore and enjoy.”

The impact of Archives Revealed goes beyond just cataloguing collections. It also helps to build a stronger and more connected archive sector, with archivists and volunteers gaining valuable skills and knowledge through the programme’s training and support. This will ensure that our nation’s archives are preserved and accessible for generations to come.

The latest round of grants from Archives Revealed is a testament to the programme’s success and the dedication of its partners in supporting the preservation and accessibility of our nation’s archives. With these grants, more collections will