Greyed out photo of the front of the Archives Centre, with the 50th anniversary logo superimposed over it.

Celebrating 50 years of preservation and access

This year we’re celebrating 50 years since the opening of Churchill Archives Centre.

Purpose-built to house the papers of Winston Churchill and his contemporaries, we now hold the personal papers of over 570 leading political, scientific, military, and literary figures. For decades, their collections have been consulted by researchers all over the world, to broaden and enrich our understanding of the history of modern Britain today.

Throughout the year, we’ll be inviting our researchers, archivists, conservators, volunteers, and depositors to share their stories from the archives, below, so check back on this page to learn more about our history and impact.

Would you like to share your experiences or memories of Churchill Archives Centre? If so, let us know.

Share your stories

 

The opening of Churchill Archives Centre, 1973

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Celebrating Preservation and Access: Archives Centre 50th anniversary conference, September 2023

Recorded talks from a two-day conference to mark the Archives Centre's 50th anniversary Find out more

Launch of the Access Portal

Churchill Archives Centre launches new Access Portal to mark our 50th Anniversary Find out more

50 Stories for 50 Years

Listen to the stories told by our researchers, staff, and volunteers about their time at the Archives Centre. Find out more

Timeline

The Archives Centre in pictures, from 1961 onwards. Find out more

History

Read about the origins and aims behind the Churchill Archives Centre. Find out more

Online exhibition: 'Hidden Voices'

Browse an online exhibition curated by BA History students at Anglia Ruskin University to mark our 50th Anniversary. Find out more