Royal Berkshire Archives
@berksarchives.bsky.social
The Royal Berkshire Archives holds the archives of the Royal County of Berkshire. We look after nearly nine hundred years of the County's history.
Website: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk
Website: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk
Pinned
We are closed for the next two weeks for our annual stocktake so please do not visit us. We are still monitoring enquiries so email us at [email protected] or ring us on 01189375132. We will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 9 December.
This month’s newly catalogued collections include photos of life at St Patrick’s Hall, a men’s hall of residence at the University of Reading, 1977-1979. Read on in our latest Just Catalogued blog here: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/blog/just-ca...
November 26, 2025 at 11:01 AM
This month’s newly catalogued collections include photos of life at St Patrick’s Hall, a men’s hall of residence at the University of Reading, 1977-1979. Read on in our latest Just Catalogued blog here: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/blog/just-ca...
There has been an exciting discovery at the archives! This poem is thought to be written by famed local literary figure, Mary Russell Mitford. Thank you to Margaret Ounsley and Malcolm Summers for decoding this mystery. Read the full story on our blog: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/blog/literar...
November 25, 2025 at 11:01 AM
There has been an exciting discovery at the archives! This poem is thought to be written by famed local literary figure, Mary Russell Mitford. Thank you to Margaret Ounsley and Malcolm Summers for decoding this mystery. Read the full story on our blog: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/blog/literar...
We are closed for the next two weeks for our annual stocktake so please do not visit us. We are still monitoring enquiries so email us at [email protected] or ring us on 01189375132. We will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 9 December.
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
We are closed for the next two weeks for our annual stocktake so please do not visit us. We are still monitoring enquiries so email us at [email protected] or ring us on 01189375132. We will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 9 December.
Planning for our new exhibition is going so well, we though we would give you a sneak preview! 👀 We will be showcasing our collections for the Community of St John the Baptist, Clewer #EYAReligion
November 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Planning for our new exhibition is going so well, we though we would give you a sneak preview! 👀 We will be showcasing our collections for the Community of St John the Baptist, Clewer #EYAReligion
130 years ago today, Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Gaol in cell C3.3. Find out more about the prison and his time there in an image gallery on our website: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/galleries/os...
November 20, 2025 at 11:01 AM
130 years ago today, Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Gaol in cell C3.3. Find out more about the prison and his time there in an image gallery on our website: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/galleries/os...
Reposted by Royal Berkshire Archives
Did you catch Archivist, Rosie, on BBC Radio Berkshire yesterday? She was a Mystery Guest! Did you manage to guess her profession? Listen again here at 1:55:21: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
November 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Did you catch Archivist, Rosie, on BBC Radio Berkshire yesterday? She was a Mystery Guest! Did you manage to guess her profession? Listen again here at 1:55:21: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
This month’s highlight examines a sale catalogue, dated 1923, for 17 Castle Street in Reading, a sixteenth century property. This blog explores some of its diverse twentieth century uses from medical to millinery! Read the latest highlight here: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/news/article...
November 19, 2025 at 9:41 AM
This month’s highlight examines a sale catalogue, dated 1923, for 17 Castle Street in Reading, a sixteenth century property. This blog explores some of its diverse twentieth century uses from medical to millinery! Read the latest highlight here: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/news/article...
A reminder that we will be closed for our annual stocktaking from 24 November to 5 December 2025. We are unable to have visitors during this time but we will still be answering emails, contact us at [email protected]. We will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 9th December.
November 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM
A reminder that we will be closed for our annual stocktaking from 24 November to 5 December 2025. We are unable to have visitors during this time but we will still be answering emails, contact us at [email protected]. We will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 9th December.
It's Children in Need today! We hold examples of the creative ways students have raised funds over the years including the 'Paw Prints' magazine created by Years 3 & 4 at White House school, Wokingham in the 1990s. They contain stories, poems and jokes. #ChildrenInNeed
November 14, 2025 at 11:01 AM
It's Children in Need today! We hold examples of the creative ways students have raised funds over the years including the 'Paw Prints' magazine created by Years 3 & 4 at White House school, Wokingham in the 1990s. They contain stories, poems and jokes. #ChildrenInNeed
Are you thinking about doing some research but you're not sure where to start? We are here to help! You can contact us by telephone, email, letter or in person. See our website for more details: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/contact-us
November 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Are you thinking about doing some research but you're not sure where to start? We are here to help! You can contact us by telephone, email, letter or in person. See our website for more details: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/contact-us
Remembrance Day brings with it reflections on wartime sacrifices. This poppy came to us with research papers on the First and Second World War memorials of East and West Hagbourne. The papers include both digital and printed records which are currently being catalogued.
November 11, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Remembrance Day brings with it reflections on wartime sacrifices. This poppy came to us with research papers on the First and Second World War memorials of East and West Hagbourne. The papers include both digital and printed records which are currently being catalogued.
Did you catch Simon, RBA Archivist, on BBC Radio Berkshire last week? He shared how Bonfire Night was marked throughout time in the county. Listen again at 01:16:35 here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... 📸 : Bonfire Night procession at St Patrick's Hall, University of Reading (1978).
November 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Did you catch Simon, RBA Archivist, on BBC Radio Berkshire last week? He shared how Bonfire Night was marked throughout time in the county. Listen again at 01:16:35 here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... 📸 : Bonfire Night procession at St Patrick's Hall, University of Reading (1978).
Last week in the searchroom a customer requested to view this beautiful painting of the interior of Bisham Abbey. We love the tiny details in this work, especially the little dog! 🐶
📷 D/EX73/4/1/1 #inthesearchroom
📷 D/EX73/4/1/1 #inthesearchroom
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Last week in the searchroom a customer requested to view this beautiful painting of the interior of Bisham Abbey. We love the tiny details in this work, especially the little dog! 🐶
📷 D/EX73/4/1/1 #inthesearchroom
📷 D/EX73/4/1/1 #inthesearchroom
The theme of this year's World Digital Preservation Day is 'Why Preserve?'. Here at RBA we believe that it is important to protect information on at risk media. 💾 💿 #WDPD2025
November 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The theme of this year's World Digital Preservation Day is 'Why Preserve?'. Here at RBA we believe that it is important to protect information on at risk media. 💾 💿 #WDPD2025
For those celebrating Bonfire Night, we hope your Guy Fawkes burn 'brilliantly' and your rockets make 'a lovely bang', just as described by Duncan Simonds in this letter. For more info about Bonfire Night celebrations in Berks, listen to archivist Simon on BBC Radio Berks at 11 this morning!
November 5, 2025 at 10:01 AM
For those celebrating Bonfire Night, we hope your Guy Fawkes burn 'brilliantly' and your rockets make 'a lovely bang', just as described by Duncan Simonds in this letter. For more info about Bonfire Night celebrations in Berks, listen to archivist Simon on BBC Radio Berks at 11 this morning!
We've had lots of new additions to our library recently with a particular focus on the brewing industry! Our reference library is mainly on open shelves in our searchroom and visitors are welcome to browse when they're here. 📚
November 4, 2025 at 10:22 AM
We've had lots of new additions to our library recently with a particular focus on the brewing industry! Our reference library is mainly on open shelves in our searchroom and visitors are welcome to browse when they're here. 📚
*Advanced notice of closure dates* Please note that we will be closed for annual stocktaking 24/11/25-5/12/25. We will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 9th December. The RBA will also be closed 24/12/25-1/1/26 for Christmas and New Year. We will reopen on Friday 2nd January.
November 3, 2025 at 11:01 AM
*Advanced notice of closure dates* Please note that we will be closed for annual stocktaking 24/11/25-5/12/25. We will reopen to visitors on Tuesday 9th December. The RBA will also be closed 24/12/25-1/1/26 for Christmas and New Year. We will reopen on Friday 2nd January.
Here's a behind the scenes look at how we created our spooky signatures, inspired by The Ghosts of My Friends! 👻 Godric is most pleased at the end 👀
Music: Let the Mystery Unfold by Geoff Harvey - Pixabay
#halloween #ghost
Music: Let the Mystery Unfold by Geoff Harvey - Pixabay
#halloween #ghost
October 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Here's a behind the scenes look at how we created our spooky signatures, inspired by The Ghosts of My Friends! 👻 Godric is most pleased at the end 👀
Music: Let the Mystery Unfold by Geoff Harvey - Pixabay
#halloween #ghost
Music: Let the Mystery Unfold by Geoff Harvey - Pixabay
#halloween #ghost
Happy Halloween! 👻 Inspired by the book The Ghosts of My Friends, we've created some spooky signatures of our own. Guess who we chose in the comments! #Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Happy Halloween! 👻 Inspired by the book The Ghosts of My Friends, we've created some spooky signatures of our own. Guess who we chose in the comments! #Halloween
Just an ordinary chest, covered in animal hair, sitting in the strongroom…or is it a mimic monster disguising itself and waiting to attack our brave unsuspecting staff? Enter the strongrooms, if you dare #RollForInitiative #DnD #DungeonsAndDragons #EYAMonster
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Just an ordinary chest, covered in animal hair, sitting in the strongroom…or is it a mimic monster disguising itself and waiting to attack our brave unsuspecting staff? Enter the strongrooms, if you dare #RollForInitiative #DnD #DungeonsAndDragons #EYAMonster
William joined us for his work experience last week. He was working on the minute books for the 1872 book club of the Reading Trinity Congregational Church. These reveal titles that were popular at the time such as biographies, religious texts, satire and much more!
October 29, 2025 at 11:03 AM
William joined us for his work experience last week. He was working on the minute books for the 1872 book club of the Reading Trinity Congregational Church. These reveal titles that were popular at the time such as biographies, religious texts, satire and much more!
Looking for a half term activity? Come and view our Jacksons display and Thames exhibition at the Royal Berkshire Archives, it's your last week to do so! Marvel at the Jacksons model and then learn about the Thames with free Thames themed colouring and activity sheets available.
October 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Looking for a half term activity? Come and view our Jacksons display and Thames exhibition at the Royal Berkshire Archives, it's your last week to do so! Marvel at the Jacksons model and then learn about the Thames with free Thames themed colouring and activity sheets available.
Its the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage today! Godric has been busy recently digitising some cassettes, this one is a 1974 pantomime of Sleeping Beauty from the Theatre Royal Windsor 👸 😴
October 27, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Its the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage today! Godric has been busy recently digitising some cassettes, this one is a 1974 pantomime of Sleeping Beauty from the Theatre Royal Windsor 👸 😴
Today is World Tripe Day! Who knew there was such a day? Here is a sale catalogue for 28 St Mary's Butts, Reading, business premises, 'including the Goodwill of the Business, established over 100 years, of W. Fossett, Tripe Dresser etc.', dated 1950.
October 24, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Today is World Tripe Day! Who knew there was such a day? Here is a sale catalogue for 28 St Mary's Butts, Reading, business premises, 'including the Goodwill of the Business, established over 100 years, of W. Fossett, Tripe Dresser etc.', dated 1950.