The archives held by Bath Preservation Trust document the history of the BPT since it was established in 1934 and the extensive monitoring, campaigning, recording and advisory work of its committees. As well as documenting individual buildings, the archives provide information about past plans for the re-development of the city and its infrastructure and give an insight into changing attitudes to conservation.
What archives do we hold?
- Records of Bath Preservation Trust since 1934
- Photographs of buildings and streets in Bath
- Architectural plans
- Records relating to major developments in Bath
- Records of unbuilt projects in Bath
- Surveys of interior architectural features of houses\
- Annual Reports from 1935 and Newsletters from 1964
- Newspaper cuttings
If you are interested in architectural history or the history of your house in Bath, there could be something in the Archives.
Who can visit the Archives?
Anyone can visit the Archives by appointment. The archives are located at the Museum of Bath Architecture.
The archives are now open again for pre-booked appointments. Before booking a visit please use our Online Archive Catalogue to search for records in the archive. Please email archives@bptrust.org.uk for any enquiries and to book an appointment. During the lockdown period we were able to develop ways to help research remotely, which we continue to do for those who cannot get to the archive in person. For more information on how we can help with your research and for record copying fees please see our Remote Research Advice.
The Archive and Library for Beckford’s Tower is currently being catalogued and will soon be on-line thanks to support from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
Bath and Colonialism Archive Project
Bath Preservation Trust is working in partnership with Bath Abbey and Bath Record Office on the Bath and Colonialism Archive Project.
The Project aims to share information on the City of Bath’s links to the transatlantic slave trade through the Georgian copies of the Bath Chronicle Newspaper 1760-1780. The project has created supporting information on writing descriptions of archives when the original material contains racist language and some distressing content, using articles from the Georgian Bath Chronicle as case studies.
To find out more visit Bath and Colonialism Archive Project
Download guidance on language in archive description Finding the Words booklet
Other Sources of Information?
You can search our Library online, covering the history, landscape and architecture of Bath as well as BPT’s own publications.
You can also explore BPT’s Heritage at Home project, compiling a wealth of free online resources to help kickstart your research into your house’s history.
You can access an online record of BPT’s recent planning comments via our website.