Acquisitions

What does the National Monuments Records (NMR) collect?

The NMR continues to grow, accepting new collections which describe selected aspects of the historic environment of England.

We’re particularly interested in photographic collections, but accept many other kinds of records as well, both historic and modern.  We focus on collections which have a wider geographic coverage and show a particular aspect of the archaeological or architectural heritage of England.

We’re very grateful to all those individuals and organisations who give material to the NMR, ensuring that it’s available to future generations.

What other criteria do we use to assess a collection?

In deciding whether to accept a collection offered to us we’ll also consider whether:

• the collection fills a gap in our existing holdings or significantly enhances what we already hold;
• there’s another archive which would be a more appropriate home for a collection – we often suggest that a collection which focuses on a particular place might be given to a local record office, for example;
• ownership and copyright of a collection is clear, and whether these can be transferred to the NMR;
• the records are original or copies of material held elsewhere. In general we don’t accept copies of records accessible to researchers through other routes, or make copies of such records;
• a collection is well documented and organised, so we can provide access to researchers.

What to do if you have a collection you’d like us to consider

If you have records which you think the NMR might be interested in and would like to discuss this possibility further please email the NMR Acquisitions Officer ian.leith@english-heritage.org.uk  with details of the records and we’ll get in touch.