Historic Houses Archivists Group
The Historic Houses Archivists Group was formed in 1986. Membership is open to all those responsible for the day-to-day management of the archives of country houses and landed estates throughout the United Kingdom, where those archives are owned and administered privately.
Aims and Objectives
The aims of the Group are to encourage the best possible care, preservation and administration of privately owned family and estate archives and to enable those responsible for their custody to meet to discuss matters of common interest and concern.
Meetings
The Group meets twice a year. In the spring there is an afternoon visit to a specialist repository in London with a talk and guided tour, and an opportunity to meet for lunch beforehand. Recent meetings have been held at the V & A, two City Livery Companies (the Drapers and the Goldsmiths), and two of the Inns of Court.
The main annual meeting is held in the autumn over two days at one of the historic houses, giving members an opportunity to meet for a longer time. We are generally given a warm personal welcome by the owner(s) and members of their staff, followed by a tour of the house, its gardens and sometimes its estates, the annual general meeting itself and a dinner - often held in spectacular surroundings at the house and hosted by the owners. There is usually also a visit to a neighbouring house or church. The last three annual meetings were held at Burghley House, Belvoir Castle and Highclere Castle. Guests are welcome at both meetings.
Other activities
The Group’s Committee is elected at the annual general meeting and meets 2-3 times a year. As well as being one of the SRG’s affiliate groups the Historic Houses Archivists Group maintains active links with the National Archives and the British Records Association.
Publications
Guide to the Retention of Modern Records on Landed Estates, 2007.
A new edition revised and substantially enlarged by Elizabeth Lomas to cover British and European legislation introduced since the first edition, by Peter McKay, was published in 1992.
Available from Hall-McCartney Ltd, Heritage House, P O Box 21, Baldock, Herts SG7 5SH, tel 01462 896688, for £48.
An annual newsletter is also circulated to members.
Contacts
Chairman and Hon Treasurer – Dr Kate Harris, Curator Longleat Historic Collections, The Estate Office, Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 7NW, tel 01985 845434, email kate.harris@longleat.co.uk
Hon Secretary – Robin Harcourt Williams, Librarian and Archivist, Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NF, tel 01707 287005, email rh.williams@hatfield-house.co.uk
SRG Representative – Richard Bowden, Archivist, The Portman Estate, 38 Seymour Street, London W1H 7BP, tel 020 8567 3544, email r.bowden@tiscali.co.uk
Last modified 17/08/2007
