Day 11 – Greenwich

“Our archives are treasure troves – a testament to many lives lived and the complexity of the way we move forward. They contain clues to the real concerns of day-to-day life that bring the past alive.” –Sara Sheridan

National Maritime Museum Library/Archive – https://www.rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum/caird-library

After taking a boat up the Thames, we arrived at Greenwich.  Here we visited the Caird Library and Archive and met Susan Gentles and Mark Benson.  They gave a brief presentation and then showed us some of the materials from their collection.  The library opened with the museum in 1987.  However, their current and newer space opened in 2011.  This newly built library space offers better, more-regular access to the collection.  They have an extensive range of personal papers and there is a lot of crossover between the museum and archive collections.  Today they house 750 different collections.  Many of these include rare books which are roughly dated up until the 1860’s. 

It was interesting to be in a library that is so new.  Many of the previous locations have either been more established or were simply in a historic building.  However, despite the newness of the building the archival books and documents still give the library an old feel which I liked.  It is also wonderful to have a library and museum under the same roof.  Not only is it convenient for researchers but it also allows curators easier access to sources when working on exhibitions.