Local History Centre
Welcome to Walsall Local History Centre, the Archive Service and Local Studies Library for Walsall Council.
We collect, preserve and make available records relating to the history of the borough. Among the kind of records which we hold are council minutes, accounting records for local firms, registers for non-conformist chapels, events programmes for local organisations, photographs, maps, recordings of peoples’ memories and sale catalogues. We hold records of Walsall Football Club, Shannon’s Mill and the Walsall Society for the Blind among many, many others.
Our opening hours are:
- Tuesday 9.30am - 5.30pm
- Wednesday 9.30am - 7pm
- Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm
- Saturday 9.30am - 1pm
What’s happening
Darlaston Past & Present Exhibition 29 May – 31 August 2013
Fans of local history are in for a treat from 29 May, when the latest exhibition at Walsall Local History Centre opens. ‘Darlaston Past & Present’ showcases selected aspects of the story of that fine old Black Country town and its people, chosen from the many thousands of items in the Centre’s collections.
Staff at the Centre in Essex Street, Walsall have specially selected and reproduced a range of photographs, local studies items and old documents dating from the early 1800s to the 1990s. The exhibition comprises thirty large archival exhibition prints which have been mounted for the exhibition in the Centre’s Exhibition Area and will be on show until 31 August.
The exhibition will be available to view, free of charge, during normal opening hours (see above).
Public Talk: Reflections of Old Walsall 31 May 2013
Centre staff member and author Stuart Williams will be speaking about his book 'Reflections of Old Walsall' (see below for details) at Bookmark Bloxwich (Bloxwich Library) in Elmore Row on 31 May 2013 in the first half of a public event running from 2pm - 3.30pm.
In the second half, local author Mick Power will also be talking about his own book, 'It Puts Muscles on Your Eyebrows'.
Admission to the event is free and books will be available to purchase. Details from Bloxwich Library on 01922 655900.
Public Talk: Lost Mansions of the Black Country 3 June 2013
Local historian and author Ian Bott, of Wednesbury, is famed across the region for both his local history books and his highly popular public lectures.
Now he is coming to Walsall Local History Centre to give an illustrated evening talk, ‘Lost Mansions of The Black Country’, telling of the rise – and the demise – of many stunning old houses which have long since disappeared, including several in the Walsall area.
Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, concluding at 9pm. Tickets costs just £2, and advance booking is essential.
On-site parking and disabled facilities are available.
Anyone interested in attending should contact Walsall Local History Centre on 01922 721305 to book tickets as soon as possible, as the event is bound to be popular.
Public Talk: Reflections of Old Walsall 28 June 2013
Centre staff member and author Stuart Williams will be speaking about his book 'Reflections of Old Walsall (see below for details) at Pelsall Library on 28 June 2013 in a free public event running from 2pm - 3.30pm.
Books will be available to purchase at £6.99 in a signing session during the event. Details from Pelsall Library on 01922 650455.
New book 'Reflections of Old Walsall' by Stuart Williams
Our new local history book 'Reflections of Old Walsall' by Centre staff member Stuart Williams is now available at £6.99 plus postage. The 72pp A5 softback book comprises 20 illustrated articles on diverse and often surprising aspects of local history in and around Walsall Metropolitan Borough.
We also have Stuart's previous book 'Billy Meikle's Window on Walsall' at £5 and a wide range of other publications on sale in our Reception Bookshop. Payment by cash, cheque or credit/debit card. For details telephone 01922 721305.
Monthly Ancestry Online introductory Sessions
On the last Thursday of every month 2pm - 3pm we are holding Ancestry Online induction sessions, explaing how to get the most out of the online family history database Ancestry.com. This is one of the most widely-used genealogy databases, containing a wealth of information from Civil Registration to Great War medal holders records and much more. This session will help you to use Ancestry to explore your family history.
Advance booking is essential.
Admission free.
Contact Walsall Local History Centre on telephone 01922 721305 to book this session.
Research service
All users are welcome to visit us to carry out their inquiries in person and there is no charge for access to the centre. However if you are unable to visit us we can carry out research on your behalf for half an hour or a maximum of one hour. The charge for the research service is £8 per half hour. The search forms and details are available on this website under the menu heading services, copy and research service.
Keep in touch
Facebook users can now keep in touch with what's happening at the Centre via our brand new Facebook page. Simply search for Walsall Local History Centre when logged in to Facebook, then click on Like to follow us once you have found our page.
Internet users can now sign up to follow Walsall Local History Centre’s news and announcements via Twitter messages by visiting the centre’s page at: twitter.com/WalsallLHCentre The centre’s Flickr page may be viewed at: www.flickr.com/photos/walsallhistory.
Contact us
Centre Manager
Walsall Local History Centre
Essex Street
Walsall
WS2 7AS
United Kingdom
Telephone (U.K.) 01922 721305- (International) +44 1922 721305
Fax (U.K.) 01922 634954 - (International) +44 1922 634954
E-mail localhistorycentre@walsall.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 24 May 2013